Scarface is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this weekend. There has been talk of a remake for years. The film studio is eager, but directors do not seem to want to burn themselves with the classic. Once again the question arises: is it such a good idea?
Many people will still remember the iconic image of Al Pacino at a desk full of cocaine. Forty years later the film is seen as a classic, but in 1983 Scarface received with mixed feelings.
The language (the word fuck is heard 206 times in Brian De Palma’s film, an average of 1.22 times per minute) and the explicit images of drug use and sex led to considerable criticism. The film about drug kingpin Tony Montana was described at the time as “vulgar” and “violent”.
Not only that: the film would stereotypically portray the Cuban community as a nation that deals heavily in drugs. It doesn’t help that the American Al Pacino plays the Cuban Montana with a heavy accent. And yet De Palma’s work has become a true cult classic.
Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino in Scarface. Photo: NL Image
A remake of a remake
Forty years after its release, film studio Universal is talking extensively about a remake and fans are concerned. A remake is rarely better than the original, they warn. But what many people don’t know is that Scarface from 1983 is already a remake. It came as early as 1932 Scarface: The Shame of the Nation out.
A new version of the classic has now been discussed for about ten years. In 2011, the idea arose for a sequel focusing on Montana’s son. Later this idea was rejected. The new film had to be a reinterpretation of the original.
Two years later, Universal started looking for a suitable director. The studio tried Harry Potterdirector David Yates. Yates was actually hoping for one Tarzanfilm, but was unable to get this project off the ground. Scarface seemed like a good option for the unemployed director. Until Warner Bros. still offered him the opportunity The Legend of Tarzan to make. And so the gangster film found itself without a director.
Ook Pablo Larraín (Spencer), Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer) en Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name) were associated with the project over the years, but Universal’s specific ideas about the content of the remake kept causing stumbling blocks.
Even the choice of the leading role is still up for discussion. Fuqua called Denzel Washington the ideal Tony Montana, while Universal was considering Mexican actor Diego Luna. No one has yet agreed to take on the role of drug lord.
Photo: NL Image
Will there be a new film?
Despite the shifts within Universal’s production, the Coen brothers are known for The Big Lebowski in No Country for Old Menalready appointed as script writers.
The release was previously planned for 2018. We are now well past that year. But despite the passage of time, there are still sounds that the production company has not given up hope. Is there still a chance that in a few years we can enjoy a new Tony and his little friend?
2023-12-10 15:29:52
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