Is American Gangster Based on a True Story? Cast, Streaming, and More
by Janani
Updated May 18, 2023
American Gangster Movie
"American Gangster" is a crime film released in 2007, directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by Steven Zaillian. The movie is a fictionalized account based on the criminal activities of Frank Lucas, a gangster hailing from La Grange, North Carolina. Lucas was involved in smuggling heroin into the United States using American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. Eventually, he was apprehended by a task force led by Newark Detective Richie Roberts.
The film features Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in the lead roles, supported by a talented cast including Ted Levine, John Ortiz, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Lymari Nadal, and Cuba Gooding Jr. The development of "American Gangster" began in 2000, when Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment acquired the rights to a New York magazine article that detailed Frank Lucas' rise and fall. Two years later, screenwriter Steven Zaillian presented a 170-page scriptment to Ridley Scott. Initially, the plan was to start production in Toronto due to budget considerations.
Is American Gangster Based on a True Story?
Yes, American Gangster movie is based on a real-life "American Gangster" Frank Lucas. In the film "American Gangster," Denzel Washington takes on the role of Frank Lucas, a mobster character. The movie is inspired by a true story, depicting events that actually took place."American Gangster" draws its inspiration from the true story of Frank Lucas, an infamous drug lord. Starting from modest origins in North Carolina, Lucas climbed the ranks to establish a powerful criminal enterprise in Harlem.
His method of operation involved smuggling heroin into the United States, particularly during the Vietnam War era. Alongside Lucas, the film portrays the character of Detective Richie Roberts, portrayed by Russell Crowe. Roberts, a real-life figure, played a significant role in bringing down Lucas' criminal network
American Gangster Cast
Denzel Washington
Frank Lucas
Russell Crowe
Richie Roberts
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Huey Lucas
Josh Brolin
Detective Trupo
Ted Levine
Lou Toback
John Hawkes
Freddie Spearman
RZA
Moses Jones
Yul Vazquez
Alfonse Abruzzo
Malcolm Goodwin
Jimmy Zee
Ruby Dee
Mahalee Lucas, Frank's mother
Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Doc
Carla Gugino
Laurie Roberts
John Ortiz
Javier J Rivera
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Nicky Barnes
Armand Assante
Dominic Cattano
Joe Morton
Charlie Williams
Ritchie Coster
Joey Sadano
Idris Elba
Tango
Tip Harris
Stevie Lucas
Common
Turner Lucas
Kevin Corrigan
Campizi
Robert Funaro
McCann
Jon Polito
Rossi
Cast Name
Character Name
Is American Gangster on Netflix?
Yes, American Gangster is available on Netflix. Here are the simple steps to log in to Netflix.
American Gangster Plot
In 1968, Frank Lucas starts his criminal journey as the right-hand man of Harlem mob boss Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson. After Johnson's death, Frank takes over and enters the heroin trade. He establishes a unique method of buying directly from Thai producers and smuggling the drugs into the U.S. using returning Vietnam War servicemen. Frank introduces a highly pure and affordable heroin called "Blue Magic," which becomes incredibly popular and eliminates his competitors.
Meanwhile, Newark Detective Richie Roberts, who aspires to become a lawyer, is alienated by his precinct after turning in nearly $1 million found in a mobster's car. Captain Lou Toback assigns Roberts to lead a special task force targeting major drug suppliers, especially after Roberts' partner overdoses on Blue Magic. Roberts is also engaged in a bitter divorce battle with his ex-wife due to his infidelity.
Frank's heroin empire flourishes as he sells Blue Magic wholesale to numerous dealers in the New York Tri-State Area and expands his distribution through criminal networks. He becomes Harlem's most powerful crime lord, maintaining a low profile while owning legitimate businesses and cultivating relationships with politicians and celebrities. He buys a mansion for his mother and appoints his five brothers as his trusted lieutenants. Frank falls in love with Eva, a Puerto Rican beauty queen, and they get married. At the Fight of the Century, Roberts spots Frank in better seats than the Italian mobsters, piquing his curiosity to investigate him further. Frank also faces conflicts with local gangster Nicky Barnes, corrupt detective Nick Trupo (who demands bribes), and the Corsican mafia, who attempt but fail to assassinate Frank and his wife.
Roberts and his team witness Frank's cousin, Jimmy Zee, shooting his girlfriend, leading Jimmy to become their informant to avoid conviction. Wearing a wire, Jimmy reveals that Frank has arranged a final heroin shipment after the fall of Saigon. The detectives discover that the drugs are smuggled inside the coffins of deceased servicemen on one of the last planes. They trace the drugs to Newark's projects and obtain a warrant to raid Frank's heroin processing facility. The raid results in the death of Frank's nephew and the arrest of his brother. Subsequently, all of Frank's brothers, including Frank himself, are apprehended.
During Frank's trial, Roberts offers him leniency in exchange for exposing corrupt police officers. Frank agrees, leading to the arrest and conviction of many corrupt DEA agents and NYPD officers, with Trupo ultimately committing suicide. Roberts later becomes a defense attorney and represents Frank, who is sentenced to 70 years in prison. Frank serves 15 years before being released in 1991.
Is American Gangster Based On A True Story? - FAQs
"American Gangster" is a 2007 biographical crime film directed by Ridley Scott. It is based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a gangster from North Carolina who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. The film follows the rise and fall of Lucas and his eventual detainment by a task force led by Newark Detective Richie Roberts.
The film stars Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, the protagonist, and Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts. Other notable cast members include Ted Levine, John Ortiz, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Lymari Nadal, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Development for the film started in 2000 when Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment acquired the rights to a New York magazine story about Frank Lucas. Screenwriter Steven Zaillian then presented a 170-page scriptment to Ridley Scott in 2002. Originally, the plan was to film in Toronto for budget reasons, but the production eventually relocated to New York City. However, Universal canceled production in 2004 due to budget concerns. After negotiations, the project was revived with Ridley Scott as the director in March 2005.
Principal photography for the film took place over a period of five months, from July to December 2006. Filming occurred in various locations throughout New York City and concluded in Thailand.
"American Gangster" was generally well-received by film critics. It grossed over $266.5 million worldwide, with domestic grosses reaching $130.1 million. The film garnered twenty-one award nominations, including two Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee). It won three awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Ruby Dee. However, it's worth noting that some of the individuals portrayed in the film, including Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts, have stated that the film took creative license with the true story. Additionally, three former DEA agents sued Universal, claiming that the agency's portrayal was demoralizing.