Ridley Scott made a triumphant return to the top of the box office and added to his lengthy list of historical epics with Gladiator II, but where it ranks among the best movies from his decades-long career is a point of debate. The historical inaccuracies in Gladiator IIdid little to discourage moviegoers from seeing the long-awaited sequel in theaters, with the movie becoming a blockbuster hit in the fall of 2024 and finding more popularity on streaming. However, it faces harsh competition to be considered among Scott's best movies. 4f4k5p

American Gangster, an epic crime movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, and directed by Ridley Scott, tells the compelling true story of Harlem crime boss Frank Lucas, leading many viewers to seek out other films like it. The film was a box office success, but hasn't reached the same levels of popularity as other films in the same genre, or from the same director or stars. Nevertheless, the film is sufficiently engaging that many audiences are interested in watching other crime movies like American Gangster.

Denzel Washington not getting an Oscar nomination for Gladiator II would repeat history, as he also didn't receive a nomination for Ridley Scott's 2007 film American Gangster. Washington is one of the most celebrated actors of all time. Denzel Washington's best movies include Malcolm X, Training Day, Fences, and The Tragedy of Macbeth, all of which earned him nominations for an Academy Award. Washington's most recent performance was in Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to Scott's 2000 movie. Washington ing the cast of Gladiator II made perfect sense, as he and Scott had worked together on American Gangster.

Denzel Washington collaborated with Ridley Scott years prior to Gladiator II, and those who enjoyed his Roman arms dealer needs to add American Gangster to their watchlist. Macrinus' backstory in Ridley Scott's epic is integral to the character's motivations, and ultimately affords him some of the standout moments in Gladiator's long-awaited sequel. The recent epic has certainly gained traction for defining Washington's career in sequel franchises, but the actor has been providing compelling performances for decades. Since his career kick-started in the late 1970s, Washington has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards and has since become a household name.

Josh Brolin recalls the time he got into an intense confrontation with Denzel Washington on the set of Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime thriller. Brolin has been in his fair share of scrapes on the big screen, from Thanos’ epic CGI-rendered battles against the Avengers, to Llewelyn Moss’ desperate cat-and-mouse game with Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men, to Cable’s outrageous comic book fights in Deadpool 2.

Denzel Washington's Frank Lucas protagonist in American Gangster has a secret code that completely changes how to watch the classic movie. Directed by Ridley Scott, American Gangster follows real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas as he establishes himself as the kingpin of heroin distribution during the late 1960s. The film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards and if often considered one of Washington's most iconic movie characters in his illustrious and decade-spanning acting career.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for American Gangster!

Real-life drug baron Frank Lucas inspired the 2007 film American Gangsterwith his heroin business in the late 60s. Ridley Scott directed the crime drama, with Denzel Washington playing a semi-fictionalized version of Frank Lucas. The film follows Lucas' drug business, where he sold heroin as "blue magic" and was convicted in 1976 for drug trafficking — with his methods including smuggling drugs into the country in the coffins of dead Vietnam soldiers. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison but became an informant and was placed in the Witness Protection Program with his family.

Denzel Washington's highest-grossing movie has been American Gangsterfor 17 years, and I can't believe that its reign has lasted so long. As far as Hollywood actors go, Denzel Washington could be considered a household name. Best known for projects like Glory, Training Day, Malcolm X, and The Equalizer, Washington's best roles have allowed him to enjoy a long and successful career. Because of this, I was shocked to discover that the actor's highest-grossing movie of his career has stayed the same for nearly two decades. However, I am excited about the fact that this could change soon enough.

American Gangster is coming to Netflix this September. Directed by Ridley Scott, with a script written by Steven Zaillian (The Irishman) loosely based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, the 2007 film follows a Harlem drug lord pursued by an outcast New York City cop charged with bringing him down. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe star in the lead roles alongside a ing cast that includes Ted Levine, John Ortiz, Josh Brolin, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ruby Dee, Lymari Nadal, and Cuba Gooding Jr.