Josh Brolin is joining the cast of the crime drama, American Gangster for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.

Already starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington, the film takes place in the 1970s and is based on the life of drug-kingpin-turned-informant Frank Lucas (Washington), who shipped heroin back to the U.S. in the coffins of soldiers killed in Vietnam. Lucas was brought to justice by lawman Richie Roberts (Crowe). The Hollywood Reporter adds the two then worked together to expose the crooked cops and foreign nationals.

Ridley Scott is directing American Gangster, which is currently shooting in New York; a 2007 release has been scheduled.

American Gangster was released November 2nd, 2007 and stars Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Ted Levine, Roger Guenveur Smith, John Hawkes. The film is directed by Ridley Scott.