This movie was based on The New York Times article "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule" by Sam Dolnick, which recounts and was inspired by the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran in his eighties, who became the world's oldest and most prolific drug mule for the Sinaloa Cartel. in this movie, however, this was changed to him being a Korean War vet, so the story could be set in 2017.
For Clint Eastwood 2018 was a milestone year personally. On January 31, his great-granddaughter Penelope was born to grandson Clinton Frovarp McCartney (son of Kimber Eastwood, who Clint had with Roxanne Tunis) and Jessica Rivera. On September 16, his grandson Titan was born to daughter Francesca Eastwood (who Clint had with Frances Fisher) and Alexander Wraith. On November 3, his ex-partner and the love of his life, Sondra Locke, died on what would've been his uncle Melvin's 112th birthday. And on December 10, his daughter Laurie Murray was publicly acknowledged for the first time ever.
This film was based on the true story of Leo "Tata" Sharp, a fellow who spent ten years as a mule for the Sinaloa cartel, the most powerful drug-trafficking ring in the world. Rather than strictly running from El Paso to Chicago, as depicted in the film, Tata primarily moved the drugs from safe houses in Arizona and delivered them to locations in Detroit, Boston, as well as Chicago. He also transported cash for the cartel.
Between February and June, 2011, Leo "Tata" Sharp's runs to Detroit alone amounted to a whopping 1,146 kilos of cocaine - one and a quarter tons of the stuff. He was arrested on October 21, 2011 at the age of 87 and was found to be carrying 104 kilos of coke.