Josh Brolin Recalls Heated Moment on ‘American Gangster’ Set With Denzel Washington

As a fan who has witnessed the evolution of some truly remarkable actors, I find myself captivated by the intriguing tale that unfolded between Josh Brolin and Denzel Washington on the set of “American Gangster.” The story is a testament to their dedication to their craft, as well as the intense pressure that often accompanies portraying complex characters.


Josh Brolin recollects an intense encounter he shared with Denzel Washington during filming for the movie, “American Gangster.

During an appearance on the “In Depth with Graham Bensinger” talk show, the actor from “Dune: Part Two” reminisced about a time when he believed there might have been a confrontation between him and Washington.

He mentioned that Denzel and I have a great rapport these days,” he shared, preceding his story from the film set. “We nearly had a disagreement that could’ve escalated into a squabble.

In the 2007 movie, Jeff Bridges portrayed Detective Trupo, who was probing the character of Frank Lucas, a drug dealer in Harlem during the ’60s and ’70s, as played by Denzel Washington. During filming, there was an argument that ensued when Bridges claimed Washington altered a line for a scene at the very last minute.

Denzel arrived a bit behind schedule, and there was quite a situation, according to Brolin,” he explained. “Then, Denzel showed me the script… he didn’t modify my lines, but he rearranged the structure of it. He told me, ‘I believe I’ll place this part here and that part there.’ However, he seemed more focused on his own actions.

As I was attempting to recall the script, we ran through it again. Primarily, it was my lines that filled most of the dialogue. Yet, there’s Denzel Washington, and I’m just an actor being put to the test, proving myself worthy. In the midst of this, I slipped up and forgot a line.

He also claimed that he placed a hand on his shoulder and asked, ‘What’s the limit here?’, to which Washington responded by pushing his hand away and saying, ‘Never touch me like that again.’ Brolin reacted, saying, ‘Whoa, I’m about to fight Denzel Washington! This is unbelievable.’ In his mind, they were no longer actors; in Washington’s mind, he was simply doing his job.

Brolin shared that Washington appeared to identify deeply with the character he portrayed on set: “He truly embodied Frank Lucas. He was Frank Lucas, without a doubt. However, I wasn’t aware of it.

After making it past that tough moment, I inquired, “Are you alright?” He replied, “Sure, and you?” To which I responded, “I’m good too. May I have my turn now?” He granted me permission, saying, “Go ahead.” It felt like he had expressed everything he needed to.

Regardless of the awkward situation, Brolin mentioned that he and Washington had a friendly encounter at a function where Washington gave him a warm welcome.

Beyond Washington, Brolin also featured in the movie American Gangster, alongside Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Lymari Nadal. Ridley Scott directed this film. More recently, Scott and Washington collaborated again for the production of Gladiator II.

Meanwhile, Brolin recently starred in the comedy feature Brothers and released a memoir From Under the Truck where he chronicles his “unconventional childhood” and “brings to life his career in the film industry — from his breakout role in The Goonies to the set of No Country for Old Men — and the professional and personal ups and downs in between and since.” He also “shares insights into relationships, addiction, love, and fatherhood, while letting the white space in between words speak for itself,” according to the publisher. From Under the Truck is available now.

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2024-11-23 06:24