Although it risks the ire of anyone who has the image of Al Pacino as Tony Montana burned into their brains, Universal is firmly pushing ahead on a third stab at Scarface, the tale of an immigrant to America chasing success by any means necessary. The studio has now hired Straight Outta Compton co-writer Jonathan Herman to take the latest crack at the script{
This version of a tale told previously by Howard Hawks in 1932 and Brian De Palma in 1983 will focus on a Mexican arrival into the US who will go to any lengths to pursue the American Dream. His route is via the Los Angeles criminal underworld as he rises steadily through power and violence. The film will explore his physical and emotional wounds, and the role they had to play in making him the man he becomes.
Herman, who has also contributed keyboard action to the studio’s attempt to reboot The Birds, will be working on a screenplay that has already seen attempts by David Ayer and, most recently, Paul Attanasio, with Chilean director Pablo Larrain set to handle the shot-calling requirement of the production. There’s no word on who might inherit the lead role, but everyone involved will be aware they’re competing with a movie which, while itself a remake, has introduced iconic scenes and lines into cinematic history. Say hello to your huge pressure...