Josh Brolin Alnost Scrapped With Denzel Washington, Told Him 'Don't Ever F--ing Put Your Hand On Me' on Set of 'American Gangster'

After a disagreement while making the classic crime film, the Marvel star and the Oscar winner nearly ended up in a fight.

22 Nov 2024, 18:07 by Stephanie Holland · The Root

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris, Roger Kisby (Getty Images)

When you’ve been in the business as long as Denzel Washington, there are a lot of crazy stories about you circulating through Hollywood. His “American Gangster” co-star Josh Brolin recently recalled a surprising moment when the two actors nearly came to blows.

“I was trying to remember the structure, and then we rehearsed. It wasn’t that many lines, mostly mine. And I’m supposed to be super confident,” Brolin said. “It’s Denzel Washington, man. It’s, like, not easy. You’re just this actor who they’re trying out, seeing if he’s the real thing or not. And I forgot a line.”

The “Outer Range” star revealed that things quickly went downhill from there. As he looked to the Oscar winner for help, Washington clearly wasn’t in the mood, the incident escalated and Brolin wondered if he was about to fight a legend.

“I put my hand on his shoulder and I said, ‘What’s the line?’ and he hit my hand off and he said, ‘Don’t ever f—-ing put your hand on me. And I was like, ‘Holy s—-, I’m gonna scrap with Denzel Washington,” he said. “This is crazy.’ We’re not actors anymore…at least in my mind.”

Josh Brolin full interview: Rebellion, redemption and Hollywood success

Now with the perspective of his own long, successful career behind him, the 56-year-old thinks Washington was just deep in character and preserving his vibe for the scene.

“In his mind, he was just doing his job. He was that guy. He was Frank Lucas, period. But I didn’t know,” Brolin said.. “And then we got through that moment. I said, ‘Are you OK?’ He said, ‘Yeah. You?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Can I get my line?’ He said, ‘Go for it.’ It’s like he’d said what he needed to say.”

Brolin explained that the actors “get along very well now,” with Washington greeting him warmly a year after they made the movie. As an older actor, he totally understands the desire to stay in the moment during a scene.

You can see Denzel Washington’s latest acclaimed performance in “Gladiator II,” which is now playing in theaters.

Josh Brolin Alnost Scrapped With Denzel Washington, Told Him 'Don't Ever F--ing Put Your Hand On Me' on Set of 'American Gangster'

After a disagreement while making the classic crime film, the Marvel star and the Oscar winner nearly ended up in a fight.

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