Netflix is producing a feature film based on its documentary “The Legend of Cocaine Island.” Comedy actor Will Ferrell will star in the drama, as well as executive produce.
The movie is inspired by “White Tide: The Legend of Culebra,” the doc that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. It aired on Netflix in March under the snappier “Cocaine Island” name.
The “Cocaine Island” doc is a real-life thriller set in 2008. It’s the story of Rodney Hyden, a small business owner from Florida, who believes a stash of cocaine worth $2 million is buried in the Caribbean. Facing hard financial times, he tries to retrieve the drugs — with alarming results.
Theo Love, who directed the “Culebra” documentary, is also attached as executive producer to the upcoming Netflix feature. Love’s first doc, “Little Hope Was Arson,” aired on PBS’ “Independent Lens.”
Ferrell is also slated to star in Netflix’s spoof “Eurovision,” based on the popular international singing competition, and in “Downhill” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Seinfeld,” “Veep”) for Fox Searchlight.
Gloria Sanchez Productions and Permut Presentations are producing with Ferrell.