Imagine a story where a small accident leads to a major breakthrough in Hollywood. This is precisely what happened with Michelle Pfeiffer, who, in a surprising twist of fate, found herself in a crucial audition for Scarface alongside Al Pacino—only to inadvertently injure him in the process.
Amidst various tales of actors clinching significant roles through sheer luck or talent, few can rival the drama of someone actually harming a fellow performer. Pfeiffer's journey to landing one of her first prominent roles unfolded during her audition for Brian De Palma's Scarface. She candidly shared her experience during an episode of SmartLess, revealing how she herself felt she had little chance to secure the role, especially after a mishap during her final tryout where she accidentally cut Pacino.
From the onset, it was clear that De Palma was interested in casting Pfeiffer. However, she mentioned that Pacino harbored some doubts about her fit for the role. In her initial discussions with the director and casting team, everything seemed to go smoothly, but as she faced a series of callbacks, the pressure intensified. The anxiety she felt over two months took a toll on her performance, leading her to spiral downwards in confidence. She explained, "I don’t blame [Pacino]. He just was like, ‘[She’s] bad.’" It became a defining moment when De Palma indicated to her that they might have to part ways, to which she responded with a resigned acceptance since he had genuinely wanted her for the role.
Feeling deflated, Pfeiffer expressed her mixed emotions. She was disappointed but simultaneously relieved to be finished with the rigorous audition process. However, just a month later, she was called back for a screen test, an unexpected turn that sparked newfound determination. "So I show up and I don’t even give a sh–, ’cause I know I’m not getting this part," she recounted. To her surprise, this newfound attitude led her to deliver what she considered her best performance in the film.
The pivotal scene took place in a restaurant where her character dramatically confronts Pacino's role. During this highly charged moment, Pfeiffer swept the table, sending dishes flying and glass breaking—what happened next was chaotic. "There’s blood everywhere. They all run over to me, to see where I’ve cut myself. Well, didn’t cut me. I cut Al," Pfeiffer humorously noted. In an unexpected twist, this incident may have turned Pacino’s opinion around, as he later remarked, "Yeah, yeah. I think, yeah, she’s not bad." This moment turned the tide for Pfeiffer, solidifying her place in a film that would forever change her career trajectory.
Scarface, as many remember, catapulted Michelle Pfeiffer into the spotlight and opened doors to future iconic roles in films such as Dangerous Liaisons, Batman Returns, and The Age of Innocence. Without that fortuitous accident involving Al Pacino, one can only wonder if she would have reached the same heights of success.
In an interesting side note, the shadow of Scarface looms large, with Hollywood attempting to craft a remake for years. Directors like Antoine Fuqua, David Ayer, and Luca Guadagnino have all been linked to different iterations of the project, yet none have materialized thus far. The most recent news indicates that Danny Ramirez, known for his role in Captain America: Brave New World, is working on a new version through his production company, Pinstripes.
Isn’t it intriguing to think about how a small sketch of fate—an accident during an audition—can lead to a transformative career for an actor? What do you think? Should remakes of classic films like Scarface ever be attempted? Or do they risk tarnishing the legacy of the original? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
