Why Luca Guadagnino is remaking 'Scarface'

Director Luca Guadagnino says that he was attracted to remaking Scarface because the story is still “very timely.”

Earlier this year it was announced that Guadagnino would make the third incarnation of Scarface, following on from the acclaimed 1932 and 1983 versions. The Call Me By Your Name and A Big Splash director will direct a script from The Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan.

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During a recent interview with Variety, Guadagnino opened up about taking on Scarface, but at first looked to reject the suggestion that he only oversees remakes, as he previously remade Suspiria and A Bigger Splash, which was inspired by La Piscine.

“The truth of the matter is cinema has been remaking itself throughout its existence,” Guadagnino explained. “It’s not because it’s a lazy way of not being able to find original stories. It’s alway about looking at what certain stories say about our times.”

“The first Scarface from Howard Hawks was all about the prohibition era. Fifty years later, Oliver Stone and Brian De Palma make their version, which is so different from the Hawks film. Both can stand on the shelf as two wonderful pieces of sculpture.”

“Hopefully ours, forty-plus years later, will be another worthy reflection on a character who is a paradigm for our own compulsions for excess and ambition. I think my version will be very timely.”

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Guadagnino also took the time to discuss another hugely anticipated film that he’s currently working on, the sequel to Call Me By Your Name, which he says they’ll start writing soon.

“I call it a second chapter, a new chapter, a part two or something like that. I love those characters. I love those actors. The legacy of the movie and its reception made me feel I should continue walking the path with everybody. I’ve come up with a story and hopefully we will be able to put it on the page soon.”