Selling over 1 million copies worldwide at retail stores, Vivendi Games’ Scarface: The World Is Yours is the #1 video game in America. The blockbuster video game based on the 1983 classic film from Universal Pictures, has video game critics praising it for its thrilling game-play, the authenticity to the classic Scarface film and the game’s Hollywood-level production values.

So who better to stamp this movie-to-game adaptation than talented screenwriter David McKenna. With critical acclaim from such films as American History X and Blow, McKenna has been known throughout Hollywood for his gritty yet realistic depiction of American culture, just the right ingredient to compliment the larger than life character of Tony Montana.

With gamers already salivating at the mouth with expectations of a sequel, I had a chance to catch up with the man behind the controller:

Scheme: Let me first begin by congratulating you as well as Vivendi Games for selling over 1 million copies worldwide of the video game.

David McKenna: Wow, I think I heard something about that, right on. Glad somebody is getting paid for it.

Scheme: You did the game for free?

David McKenna: No, I’m just kidding. I mean, I did take a serious pay cut for this, but I honestly did it for the fun.

Scheme: With all of your very successful Hollywood films, did you feel pressure placing your name on a game of this magnitude?

David McKenna: No, not really, it’s a video game. A character as large as Tony Montana deserves such a game. He’s a very funny dude. Besides the violence in Scarface, there was so much humor there. He had a lot of funny one-liners.

Scheme: Yeah, I read an article in which you said one of the things that got lost in the actual film was the humor. Do you feel making a script for a video game as violent as this one and adding a humorous aspect to it is easier to do than for an actual film, for the simple fact that it’s a game?

David McKenna: I mean, I never thought about it like that but yeah, definitely. I like to poke fun at violence in games, just make it over the top. People kill me when they say that video games make people violent. That’s just stupid.

Scheme: To your credit, one of the things that makes the game such a success is the dialogue. How difficult was it to write such a script?

David McKenna: Well,first let me not take all the credit for writing the storyline. The guys who developed the game had a lot to do with that as well. But, to answer your question, hell yeah, it was difficult. It was a shit load of work. You have to understand, every time he (Tony) walks up to another character, dialogue has to be created, that was a bitch, but we had a really awesome team!

Scheme: Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself, which brings me to my next question. I’ve heard about your dislike and blatant refusal to make sequels for movies, can gamers’ stay optimistic with the possibility of a sequel for the game?

David McKenna: You mean like Tony takes Hollywood, “You make my F#**ing movie!” Well let me just first clear up the sequel thing, I guess I was misquoted. I don’t hate sequels; I just haven’t found any that I would be a part of. I mean who can say that they didn’t like Godfather II. But, as far as a sequel for this game, I don’t know, probably not with me, but greed is great. Obviously their trying to get writers more involved with video games these days, they just really need to pay them more. Anyone who doesn’t recognize the potential with this is crazy. You have to spend money to make money. That will definitely attract more writers.

Scheme: Have you actually played the game?

David McKenna: Uh, I have 3 young kids, so I really don’t have the time. But I’ve been around my friends while their playing the game and they love it.

Scheme: What, if anything, do you wish could have been added to the game?

David McKenna: Possibly a sex scene, I mean yeah, that would be cool to see Tony’s relationships. Nah, but seriously, the game was pretty solid. I am definitely satisfied.

Scheme: So, why do you think video games are synonymous with our generation?

David McKenna: We’re a TV generation. Me, personally, I’m on the CPU all day everyday writing, so I don’t have time to play video games. So the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a TV screen. However, our society is very obsessive. We love to eat, drink, and be entertained. And, I think video games can become very obsessive.

Scheme: So I guess that’s where your love for the big screen comes into play. Loved Blow! And all “groupie” aside, American History X is one of my favorite movies of all time.

David McKenna: Thank you, that really means a lot.

Scheme: From Bully to Get Carter, you have a knack for painting such a realistic and gritty depiction of mankind from drugs, date rape, to racism. Do you feel as a screenwriter you’re ever “screenwriter type-cast,” if you will?

David McKenna: Well, kind of, but you really have to fight against that. I mean, sure after American History X, I was offered every single film on racism and with Blow every film on drugs and so on, but I really like to focus on the character. That’s what drives the movie to me. It’s all about the character, so I let that dictate where the movie goes or what type it will be.

Scheme: Which would you say is the harder to write, films based on true story’s (Blow, Bully) or those of your own creation?

David McKenna: That’s a very good question. I mean, as far as writing a film based on a true story, you want to try so hard to keep it sincere and honest. It can really mess things up when you start changing things around and adding your own ideas, whereas an original idea is your own brain-child which gives you less limitations and constraints. So, yeah, I guess a film based on a true story is a little harder.

Scheme: What can we expect from Mr. McKenna in the near future?

David McKenna: Well, I’m working on a movie with my writing partner, a military thriller, similar to No Way Out. I also have another film I’m working on called 10%. It’s about a disgruntled waiter who kills customers who only tip 10%.

Scheme: Wow, that’s crazy! It definitely sounds interesting.

David McKenna: Well, I use to be a waiter. So, I can empathize.

Scheme: Okay, one last question before I let you go. I know we spoke about you being reluctant to join onto a sequel, but hypothetically speaking, what if you had an opportunity to do the next Incredible Hulk film, would you do it?

David McKenna: I mean, I hated the first one. I think just because the Hulk was digitalized, I just didn’t buy it. There was no emotional attachment for me. But I’m always open; if Ang Lee pitched the idea to me tomorrow, hell yeah, I’d jump on it. Like I said before, greed is good.