12 Scarface Facts That an Average Person Might Not Be Aware Of

      These Scarface anecdotes are meant for the true fans.

      Featuring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, Brian De Palma’s 1983 crime masterpiece is regarded as one of the most visually extravagant and captivating films ever made.

      Here are 12 behind-the-scenes stories about Scarface, complete with images from its original promotional campaign.

      Tony Montana's Name Was Inspired by a Football Player

      Universal Pictures

      Have you ever wondered why Tony Montana, the Cuban immigrant portrayed by Al Pacino, exudes so much confidence even before his rise to power? Perhaps it has to do with his name.

      Scarface screenwriter Oliver Stone mentioned in his insightful memoir, Chasing the Light, that Pacino's character was named after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, who embodies self-assurance.

      Although it might have been more fitting for a Spanish speaker to have a name that doesn’t reflect "montaña," which means mountain in Spanish, it's also worth noting that mountains were well-represented in Scarface by the abundant white powder in Tony’s mansion.

      A Lot of F-Bombs

      Universal Pictures

      Scarface is definitely not a film for children, and the language is a big reason why.

      Stone noted that a certain expletive starting with F is said 183 times throughout Scarface.

      He also shared a joke from actress Joan Collins: “I’ve heard that there are 183 f—-s in the movie, which is more than most people get in a lifetime.”

      Michelle Pfeiffer Was Starving

      Universal Pictures

      Michelle Pfeiffer landed the role of Elvira, the initially reluctant spouse of Tony, despite stiff competition from Hollywood's elite actresses—even though her most significant role prior to this was in Grease 2.

      She genuinely made sacrifices for the part.

      “Did I feel hot? No, actually, I was hungry,” she explained during a 2012 appearance on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight. “I was portraying a cocaine addict and had to refrain from eating. And by the end… it extended beyond the planned four-month shoot to six months. I was really hungry by then.”

      Though she was fantastic in her role, we empathize with her experience.

      Robert De Niro Could Have Been Cast

      Universal Pictures

      Robert De Niro recalled in a joint interview with Pacino for GQ in 2019 that he had encouraged Pacino to accept the Scarface role, saying, “If you don’t do it, I’m gonna do it.”

      Pacino, for his part, remembered that De Niro and Martin Scorsese were “considering the idea” of making a Scarface film.

      This is just one of the numerous instances where Pacino and De Niro nearly switched roles.

      That’s Pacino above, alongside Scarface cinematographer John A. Alonzo.

      Al Pacino Stayed Sober

      Universal Pictures

      Despite the drug use portrayed by his character, Pacino—seen above with Scarface director Brian De Palma—chose not to indulge, according to Stone.

      “It surprised me that Al had never snorted cocaine or had any experience with drugs,” Stone recorded in his memoir, noting that producer Martin Bregman informed him Pacino “had a serious alcohol problem in his youth but was now completely sober. Nevertheless, he had no trouble embodying the role of the ultimate cocaine addict.”

      That’s not really surprising—Pacino is among the finest actors of all time.

      A Different Kind of Damage

      Universal Pictures

      While avoiding real narcotics was wise, Pacino's alternative had its own issues.

      Speaking to FOX 5 Washington DC in 2015, he revealed that the fake substances he used caused some harm as well:

      “I knew that with Scarface, they mixed it with other things, not narcotics—something else to dilute it. But for years afterward, I’ve had issues up there. I don’t know what happened to my nose, but it has changed a bit. My breathing has been slightly altered,” he stated.

      It Seemed Like a Sure Success

      Universal Pictures

      Stone noted in his memoir that De Palma (above, alongside Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) faced a considerable financial setback with his previous film, Blow Out, and felt Scarface had the potential to be “a big commercial hit.”

      Ultimately, it became the 16th highest-grossing film of 1983 and one of the most unforgettable.

      Stone remarked that it was initially seen as “more of a flop than a success,” but he soon recognized its lasting influence and appeal.

      De Palma Faced Challenges

      Universal Pictures

      Though Scarface ranks among our favorite Brian De Palma films—of which we're big fans—Stone mentioned in his memoir that the director was experiencing difficulties during its production.

      Stone observed that the director was “overweight, slow-moving, and wore the same pressed khaki uniform throughout the filming. He was also reportedly undergoing a divorce from his wife, Nancy Allen, which likely didn’t help his