In the 2007 crime drama American Gangster, directed by Ridley Scott, two Hollywood heavyweights, Josh Brolin and Denzel Washington, shared the screen. However, behind the scenes, tensions ran high, with Brolin revealing that the two nearly engaged in a physical confrontation during filming.

Exploring the Tension Between Josh Brolin and Denzel Washington

In a candid discussion on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast, which was reported by Variety, Brolin recounted a particular incident that escalated into a near altercation. He described how he was initially shocked by Washington’s late arrival on set, which set the stage for a moment of conflict between the two actors.

Brolin shared, “Denzel was a little late to set and there was a whole thing there.” After Washington presented him with the script, he noticed that while his lines remained intact, the structure was altered. Washington suggested rearranging certain lines but avoided making eye contact with Brolin, which added to the tension on set.

As rehearsals began, Brolin felt the pressure mounting. “I was trying to remember the structure,” he explained. “It wasn’t that many lines, mostly mine. And I’m supposed to be super confident.” The weight of acting alongside a legend like Denzel Washington made it even more daunting, as Brolin felt like he was being evaluated for his talent. Unfortunately, he blanked on a line, creating a critical moment of uncertainty.

In a moment of vulnerability, Brolin attempted to seek clarity from Washington by placing a hand on his shoulder. However, things quickly turned confrontational. “And he hit my hand off and he said, ‘Don’t ever fucking put your hand on me,’” Brolin recalled, feeling the intensity of the situation and bracing for a confrontation.

“I was like, ‘Holy shit, I’m gonna scrap with Denzel Washington. This is crazy,’” he remembered. The encounter transformed them from actors into two individuals caught in a heated moment, with Brolin realizing the seriousness of the situation. Washington, fully immersed in his role as Frank Lucas, was simply focused on his craft, while Brolin navigated the unexpected tension.

Fortunately, the situation de-escalated, and both actors managed to clear the air. Brolin asked Washington if he was okay, to which he received a reassuring response. They resumed their work, demonstrating the professionalism required to continue filming. Brolin noted, “We get along very well” today, and their initial conflicts contributed to the film’s success, which received critical acclaim and two Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress.