· Scarface, the gangster narrative already known for influential film versions in 1932 and 1983, is basically turning into the Star is Born of violent outsider mob legends: Universal and producer Martin Bregman (who produced the '80s incarnation) are reportedly reteaming to develop a new version for contemporary audiences. "The film is not intended to be a remake or a sequel," notes Deadline, and everything from the lead character's ethnicity to the specific crime racket of choice has yet to be determined. Hmm. I feel like maybe a ruthless freshman Tea Party delegate in Washington would really take this to the next level. [Deadline]
· Elton John is adapting his life story for the screen, roping in his Billy Elliott writing partner Lee Hall for a "biographical musical fantasy" called Rocketman. But can it coexist with Scarface? [Deadline]
· The Weinstein Company has picked up the Sean Penn-as-Robert Smith-as-Nazi hunter road-trip flick This Must Be the Place for U.S. distribution. JUdging by Stephanie Zacharek's review out of Cannes, this one will see scissors before it sees theaters. [Press release]
· The producer of Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father says that Joe Pesci doesn't have a leg to stand on in his suit claiming they reached an "iron-clad," $3 million deal for Pesci to star in the film. OK, fine about the leg. Does he have a contract? Seems like that might settle it. [TMZ]
· Fox chief Tom Rothman wants to make it very, very clear that Ang Lee has great expectations for the 3-D in The Life of Pi: "Ang believes he can use 3-D to envelop the audience, to transport the audience on what is a very metaphysical journey," he said Wednesday at the 3-D Entertainment Summit. "It's a different language of storytelling. He's using the stereoscope to adjust the audience's relationship to that character." [LAT]
· James Cameron, meanwhile, kept it much more real about studios' 3-D conversions of their back catalogs: "They see this potential. All it takes is a little healthy greed. And doubts tend to go away." Can you not love the guy? Don't answer that. [The Wrap]