Jennifer Lopez plays an NYPD detective on NBC’s “Shades of Blue,” but she’s taking on the role of a high-profile criminal in a new as-yet-untitled project for the small-screen. Variety reports that HBO is developing a film about Griselda Blanco with Lopez signed on to portray the so-called “Cocaine Godmother.” She’ll also executive produce.
Variety writes that Blanco “revolutionized the U.S. drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s and became the most powerful female cartel member of all time.”
“I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” said Lopez. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”
Joining Lopez as executive producers are Nuyorican’s Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, and LBI Entertainment’s Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn.
Lopez serves as an executive producer on “Shades of Blue,” which is set to return for its second season sometime later this year. She also produced her latest big-screen vehicle, 2015’s “The Boy Next Door.” The erotic thriller about a woman (Lopez) who gets romantically involved with her much younger, obsessive neighbor grossed over $52 million on a budget of $4 million.
“Sometimes [I’ve] felt crippled to voice my opinion, especially because certain directors and the boys’ club that they form can make you feel like, ‘Oh, I can’t say anything,’” Lopez shared during a THR roundtable earlier this year. “I was always fascinated by how I could see [a man] being late or being belligerent to a crew and it being totally acceptable; meanwhile, I’d show up 15 minutes late and be berated. And you watch this happen over and over and over again. Like, we’re not allowed to have certain opinions or even be passionate about something, or they’ll be like, ‘God, she’s really difficult.’ It’s like, ‘Am I? Am I difficult because I care?’” Producing projects seems like a way for Lopez to tackle this sexist nonsense, and to openly communicate her opinions.