Josh Brolin Reflects on ‘Almost’ Getting into a Fight with Denzel Washington

Josh Brolin is reflecting on working with Denzel Washington – and how one slip-up while rehearsing a scene almost caused a fight between him and the Oscar winner.

Noting that he and Washington, 69, “get along very well now,” Brolin, 56, shared the story of the pair’s “almost” scuffle while talking about filming their 2007 film, American Gangster, during the Wednesday, November 21, episode of the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” interview series. The actor told host Graham Bensinger that the near-altercation happened after Washington changed Brolin’s lines for a scene at the last minute.

“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,” the Outer Range actor began. “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.”

Brolin continued, “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. This is crazy.’ We’re not actors anymore … at least in my mind.”

Brolin went on to explain that he chalked up Washington’s reaction to staying in character while on set.

“In his mind, he was just doing his job. He was that guy. He was Frank Lucas, period. But I didn’t know,” he added. “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.”

American Gangster, which was directed by Ridley Scott and also stars Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lymari Nadal and Ted Levine, hit theaters in 2007 and was nominated for a whopping 21 awards at the time, including two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee) and Best Art Direction. The film received three awards total: Best Thriller (Empire Awards), Best Editing (Satellite Awards) and a SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress (Dee).

While Brolin went on to star in blockbusters like True Grit, Men in Black 3, Avengers: Infinity War and Dune and its sequel, Washington continued to land starring roles in films like The Book of Eli, Flight, The Equalizer and its sequels and more.

Fans can catch Washington, along with Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal and Connie Nielsen, in the Scott-directed action film Gladiator II, which hits theaters on Friday, November 22.