David Ayer has parted ways with Universal’s “Scarface” reboot, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The “Suicide Squad” director joined the project in May after Antoine Fuqua dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. An individual familiar with the project said that scheduling conflicts are also at the heart of Ayer’s departure. The split was amicable, the individual noted. Ayer has been a longtime member of the Universal family, and wrote the screenplay for the original “The Fast and the Furious.”
Diego Luna (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) is still set to star in the reimagining of the core immigrants story told in both the 1932 and 1983 films. The new film will be set in Los Angeles.
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (“No Country for Old Men”) had polished the most recent screenplay. “Scarface” will be produced by Dylan Clark for his Dylan Clark Productions and Scott Stuber. Martin Bregman, producer of the 1983 “Scarface” film, will also produce.
Ayer recently wrote and directed “Suicide Squad,” which starred Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne and and Viola Davis. He is currently directing and producing “Bright,” which will also star Smith as well as Ike Barinholtz, Noomi Rapace and Edgar Ramirez. It debuts on Netflix this Christmas Day. He is also working on directing and producing “Gotham City Sirens,” which will star Robbie as Harley Quinn.
Ayer is represented by CAA, Rowe PR and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.
“Scarface” is still scheduled for release on August 10, 2018, and the search for a director will ramp up in the coming days.