Reed Morano in Talks to Direct Jennifer Lopez in ‘The

Reed Morano is in talks to direct Jennifer Lopez in STXfilms’ “The Godmother,” a drama about Griselda “La Madrina” Blanco, who rose from an impoverished childhood in Colombia to turn into one of many world’s largest drug lords earlier than she was killed in 2012, TheWrap has confirmed.

Screenwriter William Monahan, who gained an Oscar for writing “The Departed,” can also be in talks rewrite the script. Terry Winter and Regina Corrado initially wrote the primary draft. “The Godmother” could be the third undertaking between Lopez and STXfilms following 2018’s “Second Act” and “Hustlers.”

“I’ve been forever fascinated by the story of Griselda Blanco and jumped at the chance to play her on screen,” Lopez mentioned in an announcement. “She is all things we look for in storytelling and dynamic characters — notorious, ambitious, conniving, chilling. In a genre dominated by legendary kingpins, I’m eager to shine a spotlight on this antihero.”

Lopez has all the time divided her profession between music and movie tasks and “Hustlers” has put her again in Hollywood’s consideration. Her efficiency because the ringleader of a gaggle of former strippers who steal tens of millions from wealthy males put her within the awards dialog for the primary time since she broke out in 1997’s “Selena.” Though she was snubbed by Oscar voters, she earned finest supporting actress nominations from the Golden Globes, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Screen Actors Guild and quite a few movie critics teams, to call a number of.

More importantly to Hollywood execs, the movie grossed $105 million (and almost $158 million worldwide) on a modest $20 million funds.

Lopez will produce “The Godmother” with long-time supervisor Benny Medina, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Julie Yorn. Winter, Alex Pettyfer, Alex Brown and Rick Yorn are the manager producers.

Morano not too long ago directed Blake Lively within the spy thriller “The Rhythm Section” for Paramount and Eon. The movie is at the moment out there on digital and can be out there on DVD and Blu-ray on April 28. Morano gained an Emmy for steering episodes of Hulu’s dystopian feminist drama “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Morano and Monahan are each repped by CAA and LBI Management.

Deadline first reported the information.