Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Scarface’ Remake Says Hello to Filming This Fall

“You worry too much. You’re gonna have a heart attack.” Universal’s long-awaited remake of a remake of Scarface is reportedly set to begin production this fall, specifically on October 1. Antoine Fuqua, of Equalizer, Training Day, and The Magnificent Seven (remake) fame, is now attached to helm the high profile film. Denzel Washington has thus far resisted Fuqua’s attempts to recruit him for the lead role, and according to Screen Rant the lead is rumored to be Narcos and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story star Diego Luna.   

Universal has been trying to get a Scarface remake in production for years, apparently failing to heed Tony Montana’s advice: In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women. Several directors have been connected to the project in the past, including David Yates, Pablo Larrain, and most recently David Ayer. Fuqua entered into the picture in 2016, but left the project when Equalizer 2 went into production. Continuing delays on 2 Scar 2 Face (*working title) opened the door for Fuqua to return once he wrapped up Equalizer 2.

The film will shoot in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Mexico. Reportedly, the plot focuses on a Mexican immigrant who climbs up the criminal ladder in California. The 1983 version of Scarface, directed by Brian De Palma from screenplay by Oliver Stone, follows the rise and fall of a Cuban immigrant who takes over a drug cartel in Miami and succumbs to greed and hubris. The original 1932 version, directed by Howard Hawks, takes place in Chicago and focuses on a bodyguard for the mob, Tony Camonte, who rises to power and leads his people with wisdom and restraint, leading to decades of peaceful prosperity. Haha, only joking; he fails and dies horribly. “I always tell the truth. Even when I lie.” – Tony Montana

With production set to begin soon, hopefully concrete details will emerge in the coming weeks. In the meantime, rewatch the 1983 classic for the 40th time and Say Hello to My Little Friend.