"The Magnificent Seven" actor Peter Sarsgaard is on board to co-star with "Skyfall" actor Javier Bardem in crime drama "Escobar." "A Perfect Day" director Fernando Leon De Aranoa is set to direct.
According to Variety, Sarsgaard will play the role of Neymar in "Escobar." He is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent on the hunt to bring down the notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Bardem is set to play the titular character.
"Escobar" is based on the Colombian author Virginia Vallejo's novel entitled "Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar," Deadline reported. It tells the factual story of the notorious drug kingpin. In the plot of the drama, Escobar killed thousands, made billions, and struck up an implausible love affair with his polar opposite, glamorous television host Vallejo ("Zoolander 2" actress Penelope Cruz).
De Aranoa is also writing the script of "Escobar" aside from directing. He will run the show with "Supercondriaque" actor Dean Nichols, "Shooting the Warwicks" producer Christa Campbell, "Olympus Has Fallen" producer Ed Cathell, and "Righteous Kill" producer Lati Grobman on board to produce.
Sarsgaard stars in Antoine Fuqua's adventure film "The Magnificent Seven" premiered at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this year. The said film already grossed $148 million worldwide including $85 million domestically. The actor will also be seen in Pablo Larrain's film "Jackie" set to hit theaters this Dec. 2 and has garnered critical praise for his portrayal of Robert Kennedy.
Bardem recently starred in Pierre Morel's crime thriller "The Gunman" last year. He recently wrapped production in Sean Penn's film "The Last Face" set to hit theaters on Jan. 11, 2017. His best actor nomination for "Before Night Falls" made him the first Spanish actor to receive an Academy Award nomination, and his best supporting actor victory for "No Country for Old Men" made him the first Spanish actor to win an Academy Award.
"Escobar" is set to begin filming this month.
Watch the video of Javier Bardem's drug drama "Escobar" executive wants nothing to do with Sean Penn: