Book, Movie Deal Mark One-Year Anniversary Of Ex-Cocaine Kingpin George Jung's Release From Prison
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- One year ago, the notorious ex-cocaine kingpin George Jung walked out of prison and landed in San Francisco. Since then, he's made a lot of people very proud.
"George is a heck of a guy, doing really well," said Josh Tobin of Diligent Creative Management.
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Tobin represents Jung and L.A.-based Akula Films.
Akula Films is producing the screen adaptation of 'Heavy,' the story of Jung's escape from one of the most brutal prisons on the island of Cuba.
Jung co-wrote the book and screenplay with T. Rafael Cimino, nephew of director Michael Cimino (Heaven's Gate, The Deerhunter).
Tobin said 'Heavy' be shot in Puerto Rico but Jung won't be playing himself. There have been rumors swirling the 72-year-old would do a cameo appearance, but "he's not an actor," said Tobin. Dennis Leary (Rescue Me, The Amazing Spiderman), and Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) are attached to the project.
READ: Notorious Ex-Cocaine Kingpin George Jung Out of Prison, Living In San Francisco
'Heavy' isn't the first movie about Jung's life. 'Blow,' starring Johnny Depp was also based on the man nicknamed "Boston George."
'Blow' chronicles Jung's rise to notoriety as part of the Medellín Cartel. He was responsible for almost 90% of the cocaine smuggled into the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. The feds finally arrested him in 1994 after catching him in possession of a ton.
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Jung was originally sentenced to 60 years in prison but got a reduced sentence. Prisoner number 19225-004 walked out of the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey on June 2, 2014.
Tobin said Jung has come a long way since that day.
"It's been a heck of a character arc," said Tobin. He's done more in the last 12 months than most people do in 12 years. We're all pretty proud of him."
UPDATE: First Interview With George Jung