Say hello to a new version of SCARFACE thanks to Universal Pictures

A new version of Scarface is headed to the big screen thanks to Universal Pictures. Deadline reports that the studio is developing a new version of the 1983 Brian De Palma cultureal phenomenon. A blu-ray (read my review here) recently hit shelves of the film that starred Al Pacino as Cuban gangster Tony Montana. Writers have been meeting with the studio to craft a script to be produced by Marc Shmuger and Martin Bregman (who also produced the '83 film). 

The project is not plannned as a remake or a sequel. "It will take the common elements of the first two films: an outsider, an immigrant, barges his way into the criminal establishment in pursuit of a twisted version of the American dream, becoming a kingpin through a campaign of ruthlessness and violent ambition. The studio is keeping the specifics of where the new Tony character comes from under wraps at the moment, but ethnicity and geography were important in the first two versions. In the 1932 Scarface, an Italian (Paul Muni) took over Chicago, and in the Brian De Palma-directed remake, a Cuban cornered the cocaine trade in 1980s Miami, only to be consumed by it. Ann Dvorak, George Raft and Boris Karloff starred in the original and Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio starred in the remake."

Universal has sold over 10 million DVD's worldwide, not to mention merchandising. It makes complete sense that they would want to make a new version. I am not sure how I feel about this just yet. This is such a classic film. We will keep you posted on this story as it develops. What are your thoughts?