Rihanna and Elvira Hancock
Life imitating art: Rihanna wants to play Elvira Hancock in Scarface remake. Reuters

Pop star Rihanna is reportedly keen to play hard-partying Elvira Hancock in the remake of her favourite movie, Scarface.

According to the Sun, the 24-year-old singer wants to take on the role, originally played by Michelle Pfeiffer, because of the character's "ridiculous swagger".

A source told the paper: "Rihanna loves Scarface. Some of her music videos have been based on Michelle's character, Elvira.

"She knows all the words and even has her walk perfected."

Universal Pictures is developing a reworking of the 1983 gangster classic, which starred Al Pacino as Cuban drug kingpin Tony Montana.

The new version of the movie will reportedly follow a drug-dealer in modern times.

RiRi made her acting debut earlier in 2012 when she starred alongside Liam Neeson and Taylor Kitsch as Petty Officer Cora Raikes in Battleship.