Paul Attanasio (Donnie Brasco) has been given the task by Universal Pictures to rewrite the forthcoming Scarface remake from the initial David Ayer (Training Day) draft.The new film will be a modern take on the 1932 original from Howard Hawks (His Girl Friday), which starred Paul Muni (The Last Angry Man) as the ambitious gangster who climbs the ladder of success in the mob. Scarface was subsequently remade in 1983 by director Brian De Palma (Carrie), earning Al Pacino (The Godfather) a Golden Globe nomination for his (Oscar worthy!) performance as gangster Tony Montana.
According to Deadline, the remake is intended to contain elements of both Scarface movies, with the basic premise of a poor immigrant who rises up through the ranks of a criminal organisation in pursuit of the American dream. The 1932 version of Scarface was based in Chicago with Tony being Italian, whereas 1982’s Tony Montana was a Cuban immigrant who plied his criminal trade in Miami.
The real question is are we ready to see another Scarface movie with critics and fans alike agreeing that De Palma’s version - coupled with Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana - is without question a cinematic masterpiece? Universal Pictures have a mammoth task on their hands if they want to produce a remake that can step out of the shadows of such an iconic film...
