from The Hollywood Reporter ...

USA Net eyeing 'Scarface' mini

Say hello to more little friends of Tony Montana's: Universal is looking to reload "Scarface" as an original limited series on USA Network. The cable channel is developing a multihour project that could resurrect the characters from Al Pacino's 1983 tour de force or explore other story lines set in the same Miami-based crime world. Universal retains the rights to those characters. Details are still sketchy as USA has just begun its efforts to lure top-notch talent on both sides of the camera to fill the shoes of Pacino and director Brian De Palma. Universal undoubtedly saw further potential for "Scarface" as a younger generation discovers the gangster drama on DVD, where the recently released two-disc "Anniversary Edition" drew advance orders for more than 2 million units. A four-hour edition of the film provided a ratings bonanza for USA last month -- the Oct. 12 airing drew 3.6 million total viewers, making it the highest-rated movie on basic cable that week. "Scarface" also could conceivably benefit from the marketing prowess of NBC, whose acquisition of Universal would likely be free and clear once the project is ready for air. USA declined comment. (Andrew Wallenstein and Scott Collins)