Hollywood and history go hand in hand. Sure, the stars shine bright battling the pressures of fame to remain relevant under the spotlight. However, what happens beneath the curtains of all that glitter often takes years to surface like the unearthed fossils in an archeological dig. Case in point: Josh Brolin spilled some beans about almost trading punches with Denzel Washington on the sets of the American Gangster in the days of yore.

For over 17 years, Brolin kept the behind-the-scenes drama with Washington on American Gangster under wraps, until recently.

Josh Brolin recently appeared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast to promote his new memoir, From Under the Truck. Recalling a rather intense moment on the set of Ridley Scott’s 2007 film, American Gangster, Brolin revealed how he nearly locked horns with Denzel Washington. “Yeah, we almost got into a fight,” Brolin confessed, reflecting on one of the days when Washington arrived a little late to the set.

As Washington walked Brolin through his lines, the actor refreshed his memory but stumbled mid-scene on a particular line because of a change the former made in the script’s structure. Brolin reportedly asked Washington what his line was, putting his hand on the actor’s shoulder, which got the latter on his last nerve. Hitting Brolin’s hands off, Washington allegedly warned, “don’t ever f--king put your hand on me.” While Brolin thought he was about to “scrap” with him, even merely recounting the experience felt a little “crazy.”

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Brolin explained that the tip-off likely stemmed from Washington still being in the character, while he was not fully in that zone.

Josh Brolin’s recent conversation on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast revealed one of the unknown specifics of his on-screen appearance with Denzel Washington on American Gangster. Looking back at it now, Brolin recalled there was a lack of alignment in their headspaces because, in his mind, they were no longer actors. However, in Washington’s mind, “he was doing his job.” 

Brolin added Washington was “Frank Lucas,” but he was unaware. Although they got through the moment a little later, Brolin emphasized that these are nothing but the ghosts of the past since Washington and he now get along “very well.” On-set tensions are not exactly a rarity and there are plenty of instances where cast members are not exactly on the same page. However, Brolin and Washington’s exchange was simply a heated moment, nothing more.

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What do you think of Josh Brolin's revelation about his confrontation with Denzel Washington on the sets of the American Gangster? Let us know in the comments below!