Jennifer Lopez will star as Griselda Blanco, also known as the Cocaine Godmother who ruled the bloody street drug trade in Miami in the 1970s and 1980s, in an as-yet untitled HBO TV movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film will chronicle the rise to power and ultimate downfall of the infamous Columbian drug kingpin who pioneered drug trafficking from Columbia to the U.S. She employed such tactics as designing custom bras and girdles, which hid cocaine for her drug mules flying to the States.
Blanco ran one of the most powerful drug cartels of the era and it was known for its violent actions. She was convicted of three murders, though Miami detectives suspect she was involved in scores more, asMiami Heraldreports.
Ive been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years, Lopez said in a statement to THR. The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griseldas story to life.
Blanco spent almost two decades in U.S. prison before she was deported to her native Columbia in 2004. In 2012, two armed motorcyclists reportedly shot at her while in her hometown of Medelln, where she died from the gunshot wounds.
Lopez will serve double duty as the star and also the executive producer of the TV movie. The singer-actress also stars in and is the executive producer of NBC drama Shades of Blue, which is currently in production for its second season that will air next year. Lopez is additionally slated to executive produce a forthcoming NBC dance competition called World of Dance.
As for Lopezs recent musical output,in July she teamed with Lin-Manuel Miranda for Love Make the World Go Round, a tribute to victims of the Pulse Orlando Nightclub shootings, andin April she released new single Aint Your Momma.