Frank Lucas Jr. Reveals Will Smith & Brad Pitt’s $25M and $20M Roles in American Gangster

The son of Frank Lucas, the infamous Harlem drug lord, recently provided insight into the making of American Gangster, the 2007 blockbuster that starred Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Bringing the story to the silver screen was complicated, with initial casting choices, creative disputes, and rights negotiations.

During an interview with MRECKTV, Lucas Jr. recalled that Will Smith and Brad Pitt were lined up to lead roles in the film’s early stages. Smith was scheduled to play Frank Lucas for $25 million, and Pitt would play Richie Roberts, the detective who brought him down for $20 million.

The story was owned by Universal Pictures but faced difficulties in the early stages of the project, according to Lucas Jr. The film was eventually shelved after it was discovered that the complicated contracts and misunderstandings caused delays.

Lucas Jr. In addition, it describes how the producers worked to bring the project back to life. Avi Lerner, a veteran producer well-known for his role in The Expendables franchise, played a crucial role in reviving interest in the film. Adding major stars like Smith and Pitt made Universal reconsider its position and reopen discussions about the movie’s potential. Despite the development, the creative team’s changes caused a change in the project’s trajectory. The film’s director was initially chosen as Antoine Fuqua, but Ridley Scott replaced him. A turning point came when producer Brian Grazer from Imagine Entertainment arrived, and Scott’s new creative vision was introduced.

Although the final version of American Gangster differed significantly from its initial concept, it still delivered a compelling story of crime, power, and redemption. While Washington and Crowe ultimately took the leading roles, Lucas Jr. emphasized the significance of acknowledging the film’s intricate history and the collaboration needed to bring the story to life.

Washington recently shared in an interview with indiewire.com, that to prepare for his roles in Training Day and American Gangster, he ran with real gangsters.

“Those characters I played in ‘Training Day,’ in ‘American Gangster’ — it might look like they were close to me, and I could tell you they were, but I wasn’t no gangster,” said Washington. “I ran with them real gangsters down there, but I was not them. So let me not tell that lie to you. I had one foot in the streets, but I ain’t no killer.”

It’s kind of ironic that Smith wasn’t able to play Frank Lucas in American Gangster, but was cast as Nicky Barnes In Netflix’s The Council. Barnes was head of the crime organization in competition with Frank Lucas in New York City in the early 1970s. Barnes was known as Mr. Untouchable during the peak of his reign.

Lucas Jr. expresses his thoughts through reflections, demonstrating his dedication to upholding his father’s legacy while navigating Hollywood’s intricate terrain. The creation of American Gangster was more than just a movie project for him; it was a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the enduring appeal of real-life stories.