A remake of Scarface has long been planned – and perhaps also a source for vexation – over at Universal Pictures. Reports have surfaced, particularly a scoop from The Hollywood Reporter, that posits that things may be moving in the right direction, at least for now. Earlier today, Universal officially gave the project release date of August 10, 2018. Furthermore, meetings took place, reportedly, between Universal execs and the apparent frontrunners to direct the film: Peter Berg and David MacKenzie.
The story in Scarface is familiar in charting the rise and eventual fall of a gangster and has already seen two classic movie iterations in the form of the 1932 film as well as 1983 remake that featured an iconic Al Pacino performance and one-sheets that still decorate dorm room walls today. The latest version is slated to be a contemporary tale setting a Latino gangster in Los Angeles. For a while, it looked like Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) was going to direct the film, but yet exited the project in favor of a sequel to his 2014 Sony hit The Equalizer. More recently, it was reported that Ethan and Joel Coen performed a polish on the current screenplay.
Berg, just off his 2016 Mark Whalberg twofer with Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day, may have somewhat an edge considering his relationship with Universal – he previously directed Battleship, Lone Survivor and Friday Night Lights for the distributor. Yet MacKenzie may offer a bit more prestige considering the Scottish filmmaker is coming off the Oscar nominated sleeper Hell or High Water – film that Berg coincidentally was one of the producers on. MacKenzie may have a narrative as well, considering it was reported that the director had an interest in Scarface ahead of Fuqua’s involvement but was passed over. MacKenzie has also directed the indie thrillers Young Adam and Asylum as well as the well-regarded prison drama Starred Up.
Stay tuned.
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