The country's fascination with Scarface runs deep. Maybe it's Al Pacino's over the top Cuban accent, maybe it's the allure of the city's drug running culture, or maybe it's a young Michelle Pfeiffer slinking around in sequin dresses. Who knows, the point is America loves Scarface and will show its devotion tonight with special screenings across the country.
Of course, we pay attention to anything Scarface-related in Miami. It's as much a documentary about Miami in the 1980s as Cocaine Cowboys, or at least Miami Vice. So when the latest slew of 1980s remakes hit theaters -- including Fright Night, Total Recall, Conan the Barbarian, Arthur, Footloose, etc. - we can't help thinking about the likely remake of our story. And that leads to the question of who should be cast as Tony Montana? So we proffer some suggestions, and for every actor we name we'll include one who we definitely don't want to see get a bad haircut and fake scar.
5. Benicio del Toro
He looks crazy enough to play the role,
and that's in real life. Half the time he appears to be on something and
many of his roles involve drugs in one way or another (Fear and
Loathing in Las Vegas and Traffic). Plus, del Toro actually played a thug
on Miami Vice in the 1980s.
Please No: Mark Wahlberg
Somehow
Marky Mark (we know he hates being called that) continues to land
starring roles in major Hollywood productions despite the fact that he
couldn't act himself out of a rap video. The only time Wahlberg comes
across as authentic is when he plays a version of a Southie - see the
Departed and The Fighter.
4. Johnny Depp
He's
definitely got the acting chops and has played a hood to perfection in
at least a couple of flicks, Donnie Brasco and Blow. Plus he's from
Miami - kind of (Miramar, actually). Although Depp has been sanitized in
recent years with his buccaneering roles, we think a dark role (real
dark, not fake dark, like Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd) is what
the actor needs.
Please No: Keanu Reeves
Sure, Keanu
can shoot machine guns, but that doesn't mean he can play Tony Montana.
No matter what he's done since, the star of Bill and Ted's Excellent
Adventure can never play a drug kingpin.
3. Mickey Rourke
On
the plus side, he doesn't need any facial prosthetics to play the role
and his own life is probably not too far off from Tony's. Plus he's also
from Miami. On the negative side, he might demand real coke on the
movie set, you know, so he can get in character.
Please No: Antonio Banderas
He might know Spanish but don't let this pretty boy fool you into thinking Zorro would make a good Tony. Unless, Scarface turns in a machine gun for a sword and wears a mask, we say stay away.
2. Viggo Mortensen
This guy can play intense gangsters with the best of them - Exhibit A: History of Violence; Exhibit B: Eastern Promises. His biggest role might have been as a hero in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the guy's real talent is in playing the villain. Plus, he knows Spanish.
Please No: Chris Paciello
Just because you're a real life thug and murderer, doesn't mean you can play one on film.
1. Pitbull
He's
got the stature and the accent down pat and it's just a matter of time
before he breaks into movies. Plus his signature phrase can easily fit
into Tony's parlance: Dale, cockroach.
Please No: Nevin Shapiro
He's
got the height, he had the mansion, and he spent exorbitant amounts of
money trying to impress girls. But that doesn't mean you're a kingpin.
Not even of a college football team. What a loser!
The special Scarface screening airs tonight at 7:30 p.m.at and select theaters across South Florida and the country. Visit fathomevents.com to see where and to buy tickets.
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