Roberto Escobar, the brother of the late Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, is asking Netflix for $1 billion for the show "Narcos."
The elder Escobar said that Netflix should pay for the use of his brother's name, story and likeness. He registered "successor-in-interest rights" over this at a company called Escobar Inc.
Escobar also wants to review the content of "Narcos" season 2, which features the death of Wagner Moura's Pablo, to know if the portrayal is accurate.
"It is depicting me, my life, my family and my brother," Escobar stated on the letter. "I think nobody else in the world is alive to determine the validity of the materials, but me," he continued.
Escobar Inc. revealed that they have tried contacting Netflix to raise their concern regarding the rights on the story, but CEO Olof K. Gustafsson said that the streaming giant did not respond.
"I think it is important that they recognize Roberto Escobar's wishes to review the show they are putting out, ensuring the family and viewers of an accurate portrayal of Pablo and Roberto," he said.
Speaking to Newsweek, Escobar said that he hopes Netflix will acknowledge him as a license holder and be compensated by the company.
"The best way that it can be improved is for Netflix to get real—recognize me since I have been a leader of the Medellin cartel. Once they recognize me, I may offer my services to edit the entire second season," Escobar said.
He added that "Narcos" season 2 may not be released this September as promised if Netflix does not listen to him.
"I will be sure to be heard. Not only will my voice be heard, I will be compensated fairly," he continued.
Whether or not "Narcos" season 2 will drop on Sept. 2 as Netflix set it remains to be seen.
). Suffice it to say, I totally get where you're coming from. Kind of like how I wouldn't want the lead in Fargo to sound like he was from Boston, or a dude in The Departed sounding like he's from New York.
