American Gangster Russell Crowe Views
American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott adapted from a New York magazine story The Return of Superfly , by Mark Jacobson, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a real-life gangster from Harlem who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to bring down Lucas' drug empire.[2]
Filming was done on location in New York City. American Gangster was released in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007. The film was also nominated for two Academy Awards, including a notable Best Supporting Actress nomination for Ruby Dee. This is the second film Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe worked on together after Virtuosity.
In March 2005, American Gangster was revived as Universal and Imagine entered negotiations with Terry George to revise Zaillian's script and direct the film, which was to be financed with a target budget of US $50a million.[12] The following May, Will Smith was approached to replace Washington as Frank Lucas, though an offer would be held off until George completed his revision of the script.[13] After a meeting between Scott and Zaillian on another project, Zaillian brought the project up again with Scott, who decided he was ready to do it. Producer Brian Grazer and Imagine executive Jim Whitaker decided against pursuing George's attempt and to return to Zaillian's vision.[14] In February 2006, Ridley Scott entered talks with the studio to take over American Gangster from George, returning to Zaillian's draft as the film's basis. Washington returned to his role as Lucas, and Russell Crowe was attached to star as Roberts.[2]
Over two weeks before the release of American Gangster, a screener for the film leaked online.[19] The film debuted in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007 in 3,054 theaters.[20] In its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, American Gangster grossed $43,565,115,[21] placing first in the weekend box office.[22] Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo reported that the film had the fastest start domestically for a crime saga and the film also had the best opening weekend for Denzel Washington as well as Russell Crowe.[23] As of April 25, 2009, it has grossed $130,164,645 domestically and $136,300,329 in other territories for a worldwide total of $266,465,037.[21] This makes the movie highly successful as its budget was $100 million and it recouped over two and a half times its budget.
American Gangster Russell Crowe Images
