Josh Hutcherson Joins Pablo Escobar Movie ‘Paradise Lost’ With Benicio Del Toro

Is Josh Hutcherson the new Vincent Chase? The young actor, who has recently transitioned successfully to adult roles with strong showings in “The Kids Are All Right,” “The Hunger Games” and “Detention” among others, looks set to star in the upcoming Pablo Escobar film “Paradise Lost.” Fans of “Entourage” (yes, that show had fans) will remember that in the series their Pablo Escobar movie “Medellin” was an absolute clusterfuck, so fingers crossed for J-Hutch that this version doesn’t go the same way.

Although Hutcherson is in line for the lead role in the flick he won’t actually be playing Escobar himself, thankfully Benicio del Toro is also on board and will fill the infamous drug baron’s shoes. This will be a biopic more along the lines of something like “My Week With Marilyn,” where our lead character is the one through whom we get to meet the famous face. That character this time will be a young Irish surfer named Nick (Hutcherson) who meets the love of his life while visiting his brother in Colombia, but later discovers his new love’s uncle is in fact Escobar.

The film is set to start production in Panama in March and will be helmed by the Italian actor Andrea Di Stefano (“Nine,” “Life of Pi”) who will be making his directorial debut. Di Stefano also penned the script which is reportedly based on a true story. The film looks set to be Hutcherson’s next gig after wrapping photography on "The Hunger Games" sequel “Catching Fire,” and we’re desperately hoping that he sticks true to the original description of the character and tries an Irish accent. Who knows, maybe he’ll succeed where so many others have failed. [Deadline]