Common, RZA, T.I. to Star in 'American Gangster'

By: Dave Ankers

Common, RZA and T.I. will all appear in a new crime drama film, American Gangster, alongside Oscar winning actors Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film, to be directed by Ridley Scott, who also directed Black Hawk Down, Blade Runner, Alien, Thelma & Louise, and Gladiator, is filming now and expected to be released in 2007.

The film follows the story of a drug kingpin (Washington) who smuggles heroin into the U.S. in the coffins of dead soldiers returning from Vietnam. He is caught by a law enforcement agent (Russell Crowe) and turns informant, and they then work together to catch crooked cops and international criminals. The three rappers all play supporting roles.