Idris Elba's Shooting Scene Experience

While filming American Gangster, Idris Elba thought Denzel Washington

had actually shot him.

I need these fresh. If I have to come back here and get you,

you know what it is.

Tango.

We don't play that.

Yes, sir. I hear you. You, you won't have to come back.

There will be no problem.

What about you, Frank? You need anything?

Where's my money? Red top gave you the package.

You supposed to hand me my money.

For the scene, Ridley Scott wanted Frank Lucas to press

his gun directly against

Tango’s forehead.

To make it look convincing, Scott told Elba to lean his head against

the prop

weapon. Then Denzel pulled the trigger.

You gonna shoot me?

Elba dropped to the ground, shouting that he’d been shot.

Come on.

The gun was a prop, but the shock was real.

One of the film’s most brutal moments came from a reaction its director never

expected.