American Gangster Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

The story revolves around a Harlem heroin kingpin who figured out a way to smuggle heroin in the coffins of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot

Based on the life of drug-kingpin-turned-informant, Frank Lucas, who grew up in segregated North Carolina where he watched as his cousin was shot by the Klan for looking at a white girl. He eventually made his way to Harlem where he became a heroin kingpin by traveling to Asia's Golden Triangle to make connections, shipping heroin back to the US in the coffins of soldiers killed in Vietnam. He soon made upwards of one million dollars a day in drug sales. Lucas was shadowed by lawman, Richie Roberts, who finally helped bring the kingpin to justice. The two then worked together to expose the crooked cops and foreign nationals who made importing heroin so easy.

Crime Drama Gangster

Top Cast

The lead cast starring in American Gangster.

• 
  Russell Crowe

  Nuremberg, Kraven the Hunter

• 
  Denzel Washington

  Fences, Flight

• D
  Dania Ramirez

  American Reunion, Mojave

• 
  Carla Gugino

  The Friend, Heads of State

• 
  Chiwetel Ejiofor

  The Life of Chuck, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

• 
  Ted Levine

  Little Boy, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

• 
  Josh Brolin

  The Running Man, Weapons

• J
  John Ortiz

  Nobody 2, Bumblebee

• Y
  Yul Vazquez

  War of the Worlds, Amigo

Crew Behind the Film

The American Gangster behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director Ridley Scott last directed Gladiator II and House of Gucci. The film's writer Steve Zaillian last wrote Exodus: Gods and Kings and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Director

Ridley Scott

Screenwriters

Steve Zaillian
Terry George

Producers

Brian Grazer
Ron Howard

Production Details

What we know about the American Gangster movie production.

Production Updates for American Gangster

Dec 2004

Completed

Changed American Gangster movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

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Additional Information

All Trailers

Watch official American Gangster movie trailers and clips.

Questions

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