1983's Scarface
1932's Scarface
Since at least 2011, Universal Pictures, the studio that owns the rights to the Scarface franchise, has been planning a third incarnation of the legendary story. Yep, third. Contrary to popular misconception, Al Pacino's 1983 classic about a Cuban immigrant-turned-cocaine kingpin is actually a remake of a 1932 classic about an Italian immigrant-turned-beer baron. The Tony Montana version was released 51 years after the original.
Now, a new version is scheduled for release sometime in the near future (after being delayed from the 35th anniversary year of Pacino's flick -- August 10, 2018). The early 80s remake was written by Oscar-winner Oliver Stone. In 2011, David Ayer was hired to write the screenplay for the upcoming movie, which will be set in Los Angeles and feature the rise (and probable fall) of a Mexican immigrant. Ayer's writing credits include 2001's Training Day and The Fast and the Furious. He wrote and directed 2012's End of Watch, 2014's Fury and last year's Suicide Squad.
Ayers' Training Day collaborator, Antoine Fuqua, was in talks to direct in 2016 but both have since left the project. In May of 2019, Luca Guadagnino, who helmed 2017's Call Me By Your Name was announced as the movie's new director. However, Rogue One's Diego Luna, who'd been cast in the lead role, confirmed in February that he was no longer involved with the long-gestating project. Most recently, the award-winning Coen brothers have been hired to work on the screenplay. The Coens are responsible for writing and directing their fair share of critically-acclaimed movies, including Best Picture Oscar-winner No Country for Old Men. Ethan and Joel Coen do have a good track record with remakes. They called the shots on 2010's True Grit.
But aside from a handful of exceptions like True Grit, 3:10 to Yuma and The Departed, recent remakes tend to be either unnecessary or hot garbage.
Ayers' Training Day collaborator, Antoine Fuqua, was in talks to direct in 2016 but both have since left the project. In May of 2019, Luca Guadagnino, who helmed 2017's Call Me By Your Name was announced as the movie's new director. However, Rogue One's Diego Luna, who'd been cast in the lead role, confirmed in February that he was no longer involved with the long-gestating project. Most recently, the award-winning Coen brothers have been hired to work on the screenplay. The Coens are responsible for writing and directing their fair share of critically-acclaimed movies, including Best Picture Oscar-winner No Country for Old Men. Ethan and Joel Coen do have a good track record with remakes. They called the shots on 2010's True Grit.
But aside from a handful of exceptions like True Grit, 3:10 to Yuma and The Departed, recent remakes tend to be either unnecessary or hot garbage.
Is it worth it? Modern movie fans aren't familiar with Paul Muni, the star of the original film, who brought that version's Tony Camonte to life. But Al Pacino's Tony Montana is seared into pop culture. Pacino/Montana's best lines have been sampled in countless hip hop songs and his face remains a hugely popular image on countless t-shirts, posters and screensavers. Let's not forget about the video game -- 2006's Scarface: The World is Yours. Script and direction aside, can Luna, who was pretty good in Rogue One, compete with Pacino's performance? The new character won't be Montana -- he was shot down in the last movie -- but the title alone will cause fans to compare the 80s Tony with the 21st century one (that first name has been a constant in the series, so far).
Will the third time be a charm? Does it have any hope of living up to its title? Well, The Force Awakens was more or less a remix of Star Wars and people loved it -- $2 billion worth of love. So, who knows?
It's easy to imagine political fallout from this movie too. A story about a Mexican immigrant killing his way to LA's gangster throne? I can already see Trump's tweetstorm.
FYI, the original Scarface was loosely based on the life and career of Al Capone. The title itself was borrowed from his nickname. Rumor has it that Capone even sent a letter to the movie's director Howard Hawks that read, "Thanks for the immortality."
Will the third time be a charm? Does it have any hope of living up to its title? Well, The Force Awakens was more or less a remix of Star Wars and people loved it -- $2 billion worth of love. So, who knows?
It's easy to imagine political fallout from this movie too. A story about a Mexican immigrant killing his way to LA's gangster throne? I can already see Trump's tweetstorm.
FYI, the original Scarface was loosely based on the life and career of Al Capone. The title itself was borrowed from his nickname. Rumor has it that Capone even sent a letter to the movie's director Howard Hawks that read, "Thanks for the immortality."
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| Scene from Scarface: The World is Yours |
Updated 5/16/20
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A 1932 original??? This is great stuff. I did a double take on the picture for that one. Where do you find this stuff! It exemplified the power behind the Scarface story that I know of (Stone's), and at the same time further enhanced my respect for the talent it took for Stone and Pacino to produce such an awesome remake.
ReplyDeleteAbout Scarface 3: I was skeptical when your article mentioned Ayer would have a major hand in the screenplay and/or direction. His style might not be the best for a Scarface movie, leaving a bad taste with a remake. But the Coens? That's a big fat YES! If anyone can pull this off, they can. I'm definitely looking forward to this.
Agree with Tempi's comments...a remake? That alone is questionable but someone like Ayer? No! Leave a good thing alone for gosh sakes!!!
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