Ridley Scott's film about Mexican drug baron 'El Chapo' to be shot in Spain

The man behind hits such as Alien, Blade runner and Thelma and Louise will shoot scenes in Málaga provincial prison – closed since 2009 – for the thriller The Cartel, which will begin filming this summer.

A drug-war epic set between the USA and México, focusing on the criminal career of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, may feature Titanic star Leonardo di Caprio in the lead role.

Scott, who is British, has already used locations in Spain for his films, including Exodus: Gods and Kings in 2014 in Almería and The Counselor in 2013, where scenes were shot in a mansion on the urbanisation Monte Pego, northern Alicante province.

The director is rumoured to be seeking other locations in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz for future productions.

Scott, 79, has also visited the Colonel Maté air-base in Colmenar Viejo (Greater Madrid region), where he may also film part of The Cartel.

He says the majority of the thriller will be shot in Spain, since he has found several areas with a similar appearance to the parts of México featured in the film, meaning the production team can cut costs.

The last major production filmed in the province of Málaga was The Bridge of San Luis Rey, in 2004, starring Kathy Bates, Gabriel Byrne, Robert de Niro and Harvey Keitel.