Latest news with #Scarface
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Al Pacino turned down iconic ‘Star Wars' role because he was confused
Al Pacino revealed that he passed up on a role in George Lucas ' ' Star Wars ' because he couldn't make sense of the story. 'They handed me this script, and I thought, 'I don't understand,'' the 'Scarface' actor, who was offered the role of Han Solo in the 1977 box office hit, recalled during a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. He added that it felt like he was reading a 'different language.' Pacino said that he then passed the script along to his friend and mentor, fellow actor Charlie Laughton, for a second opinion. 'He was pretty wise and he said, 'I don't get it, Al. I dunno. I don't get it.' I said, 'Well, I don't either; what are we going to do? They offered me a fortune, but I don't know. No, I can't play something if I don't speak the language.' 'I said, 'I think I'm in the mood to make Harrison Ford a career,'' Pacino quipped, referring to the actor who ended up famously taking on the iconic role in the science-fiction series once he turned it down. Lucky for him, while he skipped out on the chance to be part of Lucas' billion-dollar franchise, Pacino still had the opportunity to star in a number of highly-acclaimed films in the years that followed, from 'Devil's Advocate' (1997) and 'The Insider' (1999) to ' The Irishman ' (2019) and ' Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.' His latest project,' The Ritual,' hit theaters Friday, June 6. The horror film also stars Abigail Cowen ('Redeeming Love', 'Fate: The Winx Saga'); Dan Stevens ('Beauty and the Beast', ' Abigail ') and Ashley Greene ('Twilight,' 'It Feeds'). It turns out Pacino wasn't the only actor to turn down the role of the famous intergalactic pilot in the 1970s. 'Boogie Nights' actor Burt Reynolds, who died in 2018, revealed that was also offered the part but turned it down because he 'didn't want to play that kind of role at the time.' 'Now I regret it,' he told Business Insider in 2016. 'I wish I would have done it.' Others, such as Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell auditioned for the role but never progressed further in the casting process.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
4 iconic gangs we could see again in GTA 6
Image via Rockstar Games With the release of the GTA 6 Trailer 2 on May 6, 2025, the internet exploded with excitement. Set in the vibrant, chaotic world of Leonida, the game brings us back to Vice City after over two decades. But as fans analyze every frame, one question keeps resurfacing: Which iconic gangs might return to reclaim their turf? Here's a look at 4 legendary gangs that could make a comeback in GTA 6, and why fans are hoping they do. 1. The Vercetti Gang When Tommy Vercetti took over the criminal underworld in GTA: Vice City (2002), he built his own mafia-style empire. The 'Vercetti Gang' ruled the city, operating from the iconic Vercetti Estate (a clear nod to Scarface). Their neon suits, high-speed chases in Infernus cars, and brutal efficiency made them unforgettable. While Tommy's fate remains a mystery, fans are speculating that his legacy might still loom large in GTA 6. Maybe a new generation is carrying the Vercetti name, or maybe a rival gang is trying to erase it. The Story of Los Cabrones - Grand Theft Auto Vice City 2. Los Cabrones Led by the fiery Umberto Robina in GTA: Vice City, Los Cabrones were fiercely proud Cubans with a deep love for machismo and mayhem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo They clashed with Haitian gangs and ruled parts of Little Havana with baseball bats and machine guns. Given GTA 6's strong Floridian and Latin American influences (especially with protagonist Lucia's background), there's a solid chance we'll see Los Cabrones or a similar Cuban gang return—possibly modernized, more ruthless, and tech-savvy. 3. The Sharks Not every gang has to come from the streets. The Sharks, from Vice City Stories, were more polished, upper-class thugs dealing in stolen goods and shady real estate. Often underestimated due to their slick appearances and golf-club hangouts, they were still dangerous players in the city's underbelly. GTA 6's trailer showcases glamorous beachfronts, high-rises, and influencer culture—an ideal environment for a modernized version of The Sharks to thrive, perhaps with crypto scams and social media extortion added to their business model. How To Join Haitian Gang in GTA Vice City? Hidden Place | GTAVC Secret Gang Cheats & Myths 4. The Haitian Gang In GTA: Vice City, the Haitian Gang was a powerful force in Little Haiti, known for its street brutality and rumored ties to voodoo practices. They were in constant turf wars with Los Cabrones, and their storylines brought a unique cultural texture to the game. With Leonida clearly drawing from Miami's diverse cultural landscape, Rockstar might reintroduce the Haitian Gang—either as a reimagined crew with political ambitions or as a secretive, feared underworld faction dealing in occult crime. Whether it's for nostalgia or storytelling depth, the return of iconic gangs could make GTA 6's world feel both familiar and refreshingly layered. With Vice City's legacy on the line and new protagonists entering the scene, it's not just about who's back, but who's taking over. Which gang do you want to see rule Leonida again? Let the turf wars begin.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
6 remakes that were as good as — or better than — the original
Greetings Mick: I recently saw ' The Wedding Banquet,' directed by Andrew Ahn, a remake of the original movie directed by Ang Lee. I thought it to be excellent. Can you recall other remakes of excellent movies that were good? David Swanson, San Francisco Greetings David: Steven Spielberg's 2021 ' West Side Story ' is just as great as the original 'West Side Story' (1961), just different. The best thing about the old one is that Rita Moreno is amazing in it. The best thing about the new one is that Rita Moreno is amazing in it. Other great remakes that somehow get by without Rita Moreno are ' A Star is Born ' (2018), with Lady Gaga, which is way better than both previous versions; ' Scarface ' (1983), with Al Pacino, which is better than the 1932 original; 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1978), which is at least as good as the 1956 film; and Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' (2005), which is as good as 'The War of the Worlds' (1953). Finally, 1941's 'The Maltese Falcon' was the second remake of the original 1931 'The Maltese Falcon,' starring Ricardo Cortez. I prefer some things about the original, but the 1941 version has the edge. Dear Mick: Let's talk talent versus technique. I say only two aspects of creative work are inborn and not teachable: basic intelligence and responsiveness in one of the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, body movement). The rest can be taught by a great teacher to a highly motivated, diligent student of the art. What do you say? Dennis Briskin, Palo Alto Dear Mick: It depends what you mean by 'taught.' When I was 12, I was taught how to play the violin, but I was never good at it. You might say, 'Well, that's because you weren't highly motivated.' To which I'd say, 'If I really had a gift, it would have motivated me.' People are like self-programming computers that gravitate in the direction of their innate capacity. It also depends on what you mean by 'basic intelligence.' If you just mean someone with a decent I.Q., then no, I don't think you can teach any average smart person to be a great writer or a great actor, even if they're motivated. On the other hand, if we refine our definition of intelligence and start talking about an actor's intuition or a writer's perception, then we've basically just come up with another name for 'talent,' which is mysterious and random. I'd go this far. You can probably teach almost anybody to be OK at something, if you both work at it. And if you're lucky, you can teach them how to be good. But you can't teach anybody to be Meryl Streep, unless, by some miracle, they happen to be Meryl Streep. Dear Mick LaSalle: Your analysis of cats versus dogs misses the point. Cats have only themselves to blame for their sometimes negative image. Dogs are open to all, like stereotypical Democrats, who wag their tails at labor, environmentalists, feminists, et al. The cat approach is like Republicans: 'We have money, and will pay attention to you on our terms.' Your thoughts? Nick Rizza, Berkeley Dear Nick Rizza: My late cat, Sandrine, was not excessively partisan and, being gray, tried never to see issues in terms of black or white. She preferred the gray areas. If memory serves, I believe she supported Hillary during the 2008 primaries, but eventually warmed to Obama. And though she got along well with a very nice orange cat that we had when she was young, she was quite firm at drawing the line at orange people. In fact, just the sight of a spray tan would make her get a crazed look on her face. She might have leaned Democrat. Have a question? Ask Mick LaSalle at mlasalle@ Include your name and city for publication, and a phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Bewakuf hai kya?': Anurag Kashyap's harsh reaction when Nawazuddin Siddiqui imitated Al Pacino for Gangs of Wasseypur
Nawazuddin Siddiqui's portrayal of Faisal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur will be forever etched in the memories of cinema lovers. But few people know that Nawaz was inclined to imitate Hollywood legend Al Pacino to bring gravitas to the performance. In a new interview, the actor revealed that director Anurag Kashyap would have none of it and had different advice for him. (Also read: Did You Know Nawazuddin Siddiqui trained Ranveer Singh for his Bollywood debut in Band Baaja Baarat?) In an interview with Filmfare, Nawaz recalled, "I went on the first day acting like Al Pacino. I had thought about emulating him beforehand. I used to have phases – Robert De Niro for three months, Al Pacino for three months, and Brando. He said, 'Bewakoof hai kya tu? (Are you stupid?) Don't do that, you will become stiff and stuck in one place." Nawaz added that he tried to use the Scarface actor to make his performance more powerful; however, Anurag had a different suggestion. 'Anurag said that vo mera kaam hai, main tere peeche 6 foot ke log khade kardunga, apne aap powerful lagega (That's my work, I will put tall men behind you, you will look powerful). Don't do anything, be normal. I couldn't sleep the whole night. I felt that he was right. The very next day, I went and forgot everything. Bhaad mein jaaye, main Nawaz hu, main jaisa dikhta hu vaisa hi jaakar karunga. (Let it go to hell. I am Nawaz, and I will act the way I feel is right" The advice clearly worked for him, as Gangs of Wasseypur became a cult classic and is still revered by the audience. Nawazuddin is currently seen in the movie Costao. He plays Costao Fernandes, a Goa customs officer who sacrifices everything to bust a gold smuggling operation. Directed by Sejal Shah, the biographical drama also stars Priya Bapat, Kishore, Hussain Dalal, and Mahika Sharma in key roles. The film is streaming on ZEE5.
The Age
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Age
I've told my partner he needs hearing aids. He won't listen
This story is part of the June 7 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories. My partner refuses to wear hearing aids and is missing vital bits of conversations. How can I get the message through to him that he's become as deaf as a post? H.S., Richmond, Vic Hard-of-hearing people can be weird about hearing aids. They think that wearing a tiny, near-invisible, ear gizmo is going to make them look old and feeble. They'd rather wear no gizmo at all and miss out on conversations, smile inanely at parties and nod their head at the wrong time, so they not only look old and feeble, they look as if they've got late-stage dementia, too. They'd rather infuriate friends and family members by forcing everyone to repeat everything over and over again, at exponentially increasing volumes, until people are shrieking like Al Pacino in Scarface: 'DO YOU %$#@ WANT ANOTHER %$#@ SLICE OF %$#@ CAKE?!!!!' Loading They'd rather sit silently at dinner parties while their partner tells a fascinating dinner-party story, then plunge into the exact same story immediately afterwards, word for word, while their partner gives them a gentle nudge under the table with a steak knife.
