'Scarface': Mexican-Born Writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer Tapped to Rewrite Universal's Gangster Reboot (Exclusive)

Mexican-born writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer has been tapped to rewrite Universal Pictures’ new, original take of “Scarface,” TheWrap has exclusively learned. Additionally, “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua, who previously left the film, has returned.

Previous drafts of the film were written by white, American writers David Ayer, Jonathan Herman and Joel Coen & Ethan Coen — which could have opened up “Scarface” to charges of cultural insensitivity. The new film will reimagine the the 1932 “Scarface” — and the 1983 Brian DePalma version, which starred Al Pacino as Cuban refugee Tony Montana — as the story of a Mexican drug lord in Los Angeles.

Dunnet-Alcocer, originally from Queretaro, Mexico, is best known for writing the English-language adaptation of “Miss Bala” for Sony. He wrote and directed “Contrapelo,” which was shortlisted for the Academy Awards after premiering to rave reviews at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

Also Read: 'Scarface' Remake Taken Off Universal Slate as Antoine Fuqua Enters Talks to Rejoin Project

Fuqua left “Scarface” in 2017, but re-entered negotiations to direct last month. Now his deal is closed, an insider told TheWrap.

Executive Vice President of Production Jon Mone and Vice President of Production Jay Polidoro will oversee the project for Universal, with Dylan Clark producing through his Dylan Clark Productions banner. Scott Stuber will executive produce with Martin Bergman, producer for the 1983 “Scarface.” Vice President of Production Brian Williams will oversee on behalf of Dylan Clark Productions. “Scarface” will be a reimagining of the core immigrant story told in both the 1932 and 1983 films. The new film will be set in Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, The Tribeca Film Festival announced that 1983’s “Scarface” is set for a 35th anniversary screening, followed by conversations with the film’s director Brian DePalma and cast including Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Dunnet-Alcocer is represented by WME and Bloom Hergott.

'Deadpool 2': 12 Cool Things We Spotted in That Killer Trailer (Photos)

Ryan Reynolds returns as Wade Wilson in the upcoming "Deadpool 2" and the final trailer delivered the goods. Here are 12 takeaways.
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1. Dopinder the Cab Driver Returns

The trailer kicks off with Dopinder in his taxi singing along to Air Supply's "All Out Of Love" as Deadpool crashes through the rear-passenger window on the run from a gang.
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2. Wade rocks spiked red heels

Deadpool knows how to color coordinate as he dispenses bad guys in spiked red heels that would make Christian Louboutin jealous. What's even more impressive is Wade's ability to backflip and land firmly in those heels.
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3. Wade and Vanessa are still happily together

Morena Baccarin returns as Vanessa Carlysle and by the looks of the trailer, the couple are still going strong. "Kiss me like you miss me Red," she says.
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4. Cable's mission revealed

Nathan Summers, aka Cable, appears from the future on an assassination mission. The kicker is that Cable is trying to assassinate a child. "I'm here for the kid," says Cable. "Move or die!"
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5. Cable's target has mutant powers

The MacGuffin/kid who Cable is after (played by Julian Dennison) is no ordinary kid and appears to have mutant powers and a really bad attitude. On brand for a "Deadpool" film.
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6. Deadpool spends time at the X-Mansion and sits in Professor Xavier's chair

In a blink-and-you-missed-it moment, Wade gives Charles Xavier's famous chair a spin inside the X-mansion.
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7. Domino in action

The trailer finally gives us a good look at Zazie Beetz as Domino, kicking all sorts of ass with a side of sarcasm. "God I wish I finished college," she says.
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8. Terry Crews' role revealed: He's playing Bedlam

At the trailer's 01:33 mark, Crews is shown taking out a bad guy and we get a quick peek at his costume, which is nearly identical to the costume Bedlam wears in the Marvel comic books.
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9. Deadpool forms the X-Force

"We're going to form a super duper f---ing group," says Deadpool. "We need them tough, orally flexible, and young enough to carry their own franchise for ten to twelve years. You'll be known as 'X-Force."
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10. Is that a "Black Panther" Wakanda Forever reference?

The moment when Deadpool announces the formation of "X-Force," Wade crosses his arms just like the Wakandans do in "Black Panther" when they salute each other.
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11. Shiolo Kutsana is playing mutant Surge

According to the keen eyes over at Inverse, "Based on the footage, we can deduce that Shioli Kutsuna is playing Surge, a mutant capable of manipulating electricity."
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12. Rob Delaney is playing Peter Wisdom

According to Screenrant, "In the comics, Pete Wisdom is a British Secret Service agent (frequently associated with the agency MI-13) as well as a mutant who can create energy-based blades with his fingers, using them as projectiles."
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