Skip to main content

Pablo Escobar’s brother seeks $1 billion in ‘Narcos’ compensation from Netflix

narcos season 2 roberto escobar huddle
Netflix
One of the last surviving members of Pablo Escobar’s notorious Medellín cartel has a bone to pick with Netflix over the streaming giant’s popular original series Narcos — and it’s potentially a very expensive one. Roberto Escobar, the older brother of the late drug kingpin whose life inspired the series, is seeking $1 billion in compensation from Netflix and the chance to review season 2 before it becomes available to subscribers, reports Newsweek.

Escobar laid out his concerns in a letter obtained and published by TMZ on Wednesday, claiming there were “mistakes, lies, and inaccuracies” in the first season, which premiered in August 2015. He argued that as one of the cartel’s leaders and Escobar’s family member, he should be given “the rightful opportunity to review this material.” Additionally, he wrote that he registered successor-in-interest rights over his brother and family name in California in 2015.

Although Escobar called the letter a “friendly request,” he told Newseek that he would take legal action against the company if necessary. “If they decline my offer, we have attorneys ready to proceed with necessary actions,” he said.

Among the more specific grievances that Roberto Escobar had with season 1 was how his role was altered. Olof Gustafsson, who co-founded Escobar, Inc. with Roberto and serves as CEO, explained in an email to Newsweek that Roberto Escobar served as his late brother’s accountant and doubled as head of his hit men; season 1, however, featured an accountant who was fired from his post and claimed to be a CIA informant.

Beyond that, Escobar was not impressed with Wagner Moura’s portrayal of Pablo. “Does he have any real experience in acting? Does he have any real experience in making cocaine transactions? Has he laundered billions of dollars? Or is he sucking on his thumb and drinking his mother’s breast milk to this date?” said Escobar. “I believe it is the latter.”

It remains to be seen whether Escobar’s request will have any impact on the series moving forward. If all goes according to Netflix’s plan, Narcos season 2 will be available for streaming on September 2.

Digital Trends has reached out to Netflix for comment but has yet to hear back.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephanie Topacio Long
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
3 Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend (April 26-28)
Luke Kirby and Michelle Williams in Take This Waltz.

As you've probably noticed, this is the last weekend of April. That means Hulu is about to lose some of its best movies before the new titles arrive May 1. And while we've already shared five great movies leaving Hulu at the end of April, those aren't the only terrific titles going out the door.

That's why this week's picks for the three Hulu movies that you need to stream this weekend are off the beaten path from the films we've previously chosen for April. We've picked out a historical drama, a romantic dramedy, and a remix of a classic Charles Dickens story. But since these movies are only around until April 30, you should catch these flicks before they go off to some other streamer.
The Last Duel (2021)

Read more
How to watch Apple TV+ on your Chromecast
The Cast selections on the Chrome browser for playing Apple TV+ on Chromecast.

So you're a fan of excellent Apple TV+ shows such as Severance, Ted Lasso, Palm Royale, and Silo, but on the hardware side of things, you're more of a Chromecast or Google TV kinda guy, and that's fine.

Whether you have a Chromecast dongle device, such as a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra, or even the newer Chromecast with Google TV, or perhaps you have a smart TV or projector with Google TV or Chromecast built-in, rest assured you can watch all your Apple TV+ movies and shows without having to get an Apple TV set-top box. Here’s what you need and what to do!

Read more
Like Amazon Prime Video’s Fallout show? Then watch three shows and movies starring Ella Purnell
Lucy enters a house in Fallout.

Fallout has proven to be one of the bigger hits in Amazon Prime Video's existence, and it's also one of the most anticipated shows the streaming service has to offer this year. The series, which is loosely adapted from the popular video game franchise, stars Ella Purnell as a newly invented character who has to set off on a quest that will take her to the surface of a postapocalyptic version of Earth.

If you watched Fallout and found yourself intrigued by Purnell, in particular, then you're in luck. She's still a relatively new face in Hollywood, but she's starred in a number of projects in recent years, many of which have required her to hide her British accent. These are three you should definitely check out if you're a big Purnell fan.
Yellowjackets (2021-)
Yellowjackets (2021) Official Trailer #2 | SHOWTIME

Read more