Josh Brolin Recalls Near Fight with Denzel Washington on American Gangster Set: ‘Don’t Ever F—ing Put Your Hand on Me’

Josh Brolin Recalls Near Fight with Denzel Washington on American Gangster Set: ‘Don’t Ever F—ing Put Your Hand on Me’

“I’m gonna scrap with Denzel Washington. This is crazy,” Josh Brolin said, reflecting on a tense moment during the making of American Gangster.

By the time Josh Brolin joined the cast of Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime drama American Gangster, he was already a Hollywood veteran with over two decades of experience. Yet, sharing the screen with heavyweights like Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, and especially Denzel Washington left him awestruck.

However, his admiration for Washington turned into a heated on-set encounter during filming, as Brolin recently shared on In Depth with Graham Bensinger.

A Tense First Interaction

“Denzel showed up a little late to set, and there was this whole vibe,” Brolin recounted. “He showed me the lines… He didn’t change my dialogue, but he altered the structure. He said, ‘I think I’m gonna put this down here, and I’m gonna put that up there.’ But he wouldn’t really look at me.”

Washington played Frank Lucas, a notorious New York City drug lord, while Brolin portrayed corrupt NYPD Detective Nick Trupo. As they rehearsed a scene, Brolin, tasked with exuding confidence opposite Washington’s commanding presence, flubbed a line. Hoping to reset the moment, he instinctively put his hand on Washington’s shoulder.

Washington’s reaction was swift and cutting. “He hit my hand off and said, ‘Don’t ever f—ing put your hand on me,’” Brolin recalled. “And I was like, ‘Holy s—, I’m about to fight Denzel Washington. This is crazy.’”

In-Character Intensity

Brolin admitted he misread the situation, only realizing later that Washington was fully immersed in his role. “In his mind, he was Frank Lucas, period,” Brolin explained. “But I didn’t know that at the time. We weren’t actors in that moment—at least in my mind.”

The tension was short-lived, with the pair quickly diffusing the situation. “I said, ‘Are you okay?’ He said, ‘Yeah. You?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Can I get my line?’ And he just said, ‘Go for it.’ It was like he said what he needed to say, and we moved on.”

Josh Brolin Recalls Near Fight with Denzel Washington on American Gangster Set: ‘Don’t Ever F—ing Put Your Hand on Me’

A Strong Bond Today

Despite the on-set clash, Brolin emphasized that he and Washington have developed a good relationship over the years. “We get along very well now,” he said. He fondly recalled seeing Washington about a year after filming, when the actor warmly greeted him and called him over to catch up.

The experience was an early lesson in navigating the high-stakes intensity of working with top-tier talent, and Brolin took it in stride.

Fans can watch the full interview on YouTube for more insights from Brolin’s career and his reflections on working alongside some of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors.

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