We recently learned that the newest incarnation of Scarface lost it’s director as Antoine Fuqua was pulled away by Sony Pictures to tackle The Equalizer sequel instead.
Rogue One’s Diego Luna is attached as the film’s new lead as the film would focus on a Mexican immigrant rising to power in L.A.
Hollywood Reporter now has word that the Universal is considering Hell or High Water’s David Mackenzie and Peter Berg to replace Fuqua as the film’s director.
The two directors are said to be frontrunners for the gig.
Hell or High Water is currently up for four Oscars including Best Picture, Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges. It was one of the most talked about films of 2016 and was, in my opinion, the cooler ones released.
THR points out that Mackenzie had previously been passed over to direct Scarface when the studio picked Fuqua.
Funnily, however, and in true Hollywood fashion, MacKenzie had trouble getting though many studio doors as early as last summer. In fact, MacKenzie tried to get the Scarface directing gig but was passed over, with the studio settling on the more experienced Fuqua in early August 2016.
In contrast, Peter Berg’s Deepwater Horizon bombed at the box office and Patriot Day is also looking to take a loss too. Universal had a rough time at the box office in 2016 and hiring Berg sounds like more of a risky move at this point.
Keeping with the Oscar pedigree, the Coen Brothers, are being tasked to do rewrites on the script.
I personally feel that pairing the Coen Brothers with David Mackenzie is the smart play here for Universal.
Scarface’s release date has been set for August 10, 2018.
SOURCE: THR