The only thing surprising about this news is that it took so long to happen.
Universal Pictures has officially deemed it time to once again tell the story of a crime lord and his little friend as it preps a "Scarface" for the 21st century, according to Deadline.
The epic tale of corruption and violence has been told on the big screen twice before in the Howard Hughes-produced 1932 film starring Paul Muni and in Brian De Palma's 1983 cult classic starring Al Pacino as the endlessly quotable Tony Montana.
This new "Scarface" is not meant to be a remake but rather a re-configuration of the basic plot elements: an immigrant initiates himself into the criminal underworld in pursuit of a twisted version of the American dream, becoming a kingpin through a campaign of ruthlessness and violent ambition. And, perhaps, cocaine and shotguns.
The 1932 film dealt with an Italian in Chicago and the 1983 film featured a Cuban in Miami, though Universal is keeping the ethnicity of the main character and the location of the main action in the new "Scarface" a secret for now.
We're wondering more what kind of style will be brought to this new version. De Palma's film, in particular, was so grandiose and over-the-top -- not to mention astonishingly influential as a piece of pop culture -- that it's going to be a hard act to follow, no matter what Universal may have up its sleeve.
And we'd just like to also add that Oscar Isaac ("Drive") would be quite amazing in the title role, if they decide to, you know, go in that direction.
The new "Scarface" is currently in development, with no star or director attached yet.
