Pablo Escobar’s family is suing Netflix for $1B, threatens to shut down show

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September 26, 2017 9:18 AM

Pablo Escobar's family is suing Netflix for $1 billion, and has threatened to shut down "Narcos" if they don't receive the money.

The family of late Colombian drug kingpin

According to Escobar's brother, Roberto De Jesus Escobar Gaviria, Netflix used Escobar's name and story without their permission.

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 71-year-old Gaviria said they were suing Netflix for intellectual property violations.

"Right now, we are in discussions with them through our attorneys Browne George Ross LLP to obtain our $1 billion payment. If we don't receive it, we will close their little show," he said.

Gaviria made his first contact with Netflix in 2016, after which he filed a lawsuit via his company Escobar Inc., which owns the trademarks for Narcos.

"At the end of the day, if we don't take a deal, then we own the trademarks. They would have to rebrand their entire show," Olof Gustafsson, the CEO of Escobar Inc said.

"They know this. This is why they're talking to us. Otherwise, they would never entertain any discussions with a drug cartel family."

This comes after a "Narcos" location scout was recently killed on the job in North Mexico.

When asked if Escobar Inc., is aware of what happened to the late crew member of "Narcos," Olof Gustafsson said: “No comment on that. But Escobar Inc. cooperates with all law enforcement.”

Carlos Muñoz Portal, 37, was found dead in his car after he had been scouting locations for the show’s fourth series.

Pedro Pascal, who plays agent Javier Peña on the show recently said the series can’t continue unless its cast and crew can be kept safe.

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