The remake of SCARFACE is still lingering in the air as just this week we learned that Antoine Fuqua might be sitting in the director’s chair when cameras finally roll. The third take on SCARFACE would take the premise of an immigrant rising to power from his meager beginnings into modern-day L.A. So now someone is stuck with the task of trying to find the new Tony Montana last played by Al Pacino in the 1983 remake of the 1932 classic starring Paul Muni.
Tony Montana has become a cultural icon and is one of the most famous movie characters of all time. It certainly won’t be an easy task to cast someone to take the lead here but I’ve come up with three actors for the role that I think could fit the bill.
First up is everyone’s favorite starfighter pilot, Oscar Isaac. The talented actor has slowly been on the rise since his commanding performance in INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS. Since then with roles like A MOST VIOLENT YEAR and EX MACHINA the star continues to shine bright for the actor. I would love to see him take on the role of Tony Montana and chew every scene, who wouldn’t really? Now I know I’m going older with my next choice, the now 47-year-old Javier Bardem. Considering Pacino was in his early 40s during SCARFACE, Javier Bardem isn’t that far gone for the part. I just love to watch this guy on screen; one of my favorite performances of his would be BIUTIFUL, if you haven’t had the pleasure, please seek it out.
Bardem would bring a surlier performance to the role; something I think would work the character today. A perhaps softer take could be found with my last choice, Edgar Ramirez. The actor was able to bring a lot to the questionable remake of POINT BREAK when he played Bodhi, not an easy task. He’s also starring alongside Robert De Niro in the story of Roberto Duran later this year which can’t hurt his following. He’s got the look and style to pull off such a dynamic and demanding role. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t have a remake, but it’s going to happen. I know that when it does, I would be happy to see any of these gentlemen play Montana.
What do you guys think? Who would you put up for the part?
RESULTS BELOW FROM CAST THIS: Clarice Starling – 1. Jessica Chastain 2. Elisabeth Moss 3. Tatiana Maslany