A project that’s long been in development, Universal is moving forward with its “Scarface” remake, although it will do so without Antoine Fuqua, who was most recently attached to direct what will be a 3rd version of the classic.

We reported last summer that Fuqua had come on board to helm the project for the studio, directing from a script penned by Jonathan Herman (a rewrite of a previous drafts by Paul Attanasio and David Ayer), which will tell a new and original take on the immigrant story that will be set in present-day Los Angeles, and will explore an immigrant’s rise in the criminal underworld.

But as reported by Variety this evening, Fuqua has exited Universal’s reimagining of the classic gangster tale due to a scheduling conflict; he wants to focus on Sony’s sequel to “The Equalizer” which will see him reunite with Denzel Washington.

Universal is now on the hunt for his replacement.

The film, which will star Diego Luna, is being produced by Bluegrass Films as well as Global Produce. Also Marty Bregman, producer of the 1983 version that starred Al Pacino, is also on board to produce.

Jon Mone and Jay Polidoro are overseeing the project for Universal. Terence Winter wrote the most recent draft of the script.

It’s been a busy 12 months for Antoine Fuqua; the director has teamed up with Showtime for a dark medical drama titled “The City;” he also has AT&T’S Audience network drama series “Ice,” a scripted series on the underground diamond trade, which is currently airing. There’s the “Magnificent Seven” remake starring Denzel Washington (last year); and Fuqua’s also executive producing CBS’ upcoming “Training Day” series, to name a handful of projects with his name on them.