As a gamer who has lived through decades of movies and witnessed the rise of some truly remarkable talents, I can confidently say that Josh Brolin is one such actor. From his chilling performance as the Joker to his gripping portrayal of Thanos, he’s left an indelible mark on cinema. However, it was his role in American Gangster that took me back to the good old days when I used to watch movies on VHS tapes.
It’s clear that Josh Brolin has some fantastic films to his name, earning him a status of legend. Movies like “No Country For Old Men,” “True Grit,” and the latest “Dune” are just a few examples. However, when he stepped into the illustrious cast of “American Gangster” alongside Denzel Washington in 2007, his influence and experience were not as prominent as they are today. Brolin has recently shared stories from this film set, recalling an instance where he interacted with Washington while both were in character. The aftermath was quite extraordinary.
In a recent interview on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger,” Josh Brolin reminisced about working alongside Denzel Washington, sharing an amusing mix-up that almost escalated into a fight. Although they are friends now, during the filming of “American Gangster,” Brolin was the rising star, fresh from the success of “No Country For Old Men” and revitalizing his career after years of struggle following “The Goonies.” Kicking off his tale, Brolin recounted:
As for Denzel and me, we’ve managed to put any past misunderstandings behind us. There was an instance when tempers flared… It was during a time when Brian Grazer had his hair standing tall… And he exclaimed enthusiastically, “Josh and Russell! Josh and Russell are exceptional!” I’m certain Denzel overheard that.
It’s possible that this encounter may not have had a relaxed atmosphere, given it was the debut meeting and collaboration with a figure like Washington. Despite the reassurance from Brian Grazer, one of the film producers, the actor from the Avengers franchise felt apprehensive. This anxiety intensified significantly when the Academy Award winner began altering the sequence of scenes in their initial scene together. Consequently, Brolin made an error in his lines due to the overall tension.
Later on, Denzel arrived a bit behind schedule, and there was quite a scene unfolding. Then, he presented me with my script… He didn’t alter any of my lines, but he rearranged their order. He suggested, “I believe I’ll place this section here, and that part over there.” However, he rarely made eye contact. Consequently, I was struggling to recall the new arrangement, and soon enough, we started rehearsing. The script wasn’t extensive, primarily consisting of my lines. And I’m supposed to project an air of supreme self-assurance. Working with Denzel Washington is no walk in the park, let me tell you! It’s like trying out for a role, to see if I’ve got what it takes to be the genuine article. Unfortunately, I slipped up and forgot one of my lines.
It’s not quite the image you’d hope to project while collaborating with a Hollywood legend, but given the circumstances, it’s reasonable. Things got more complicated when Denzel Washington played his role as Frank Lucas from the film, a response Josh Brolin wasn’t prepared for.
I gently touched his shoulder and asked, “Where’s the boundary?” He brushed my hand away angrily and retorted, “Never touch me like that.” I was taken aback, thinking, “I might end up fighting Denzel Washington. This is unbelievable.” In his perspective, he was simply carrying out his duty; he was Frank Lucas, plain and simple. He saw himself not as an actor but as the man himself.
What a crazy awkward experience, especially considering Washington’s process wasn’t explained to Brolin. Sets are unique environments, where actors are seemingly willing for things to get a little dicey for the sake of a scene working. In American Gangster, the two actors’ characters are adversaries, so this kind of response makes sense for the movie. However, it probably didn’t make much sense in the context of co-workers meeting for the first time. Thankfully, things were quickly smoothed over, as the Jonah Hex alum explained:
Afterward, we made it past that point. I asked, ‘Are you alright?’ He responded, ‘Yes, and you?’ To which I replied, ‘Yes. May I have my turn now?’ He agreed, saying, ‘Sure.’ It seemed as if he had expressed whatever was on his mind.
As a gamer putting myself in Josh Brolin’s shoes, I can say that my interactions with my former on-screen partner have become incredibly cordial these days. In fact, whenever we cross paths, he always gives me a warm embrace. It seems the “hands off” rule was merely a means to embody the character more authentically. For me, method acting lies somewhere between action and cut, while for others it might be more physical touch. Nevertheless, the intense energy that this dynamic produced was undeniably fitting for the scene we shared.
In “American Gangster,” both actors deliver exceptional performances, making the film a strong contender for one of Denzel Washington’s most memorable roles. The atmosphere he establishes is evident when he and Brolin share screen time. Despite potentially awkward moments during filming, the final product speaks for itself.
As a gamer, I’d say: “Step back into the gritty world of ‘American Gangster’, starring Josh Brolin and Denzel Washington, directed by the legendary Ridley Scott. You can do this right now by subscribing to Netflix! For more captivating tales from Brolin, don’t forget to grab a copy of his book, ‘From Under the Truck’, available on Amazon.
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2024-11-23 20:40