Synopsis

In 1970s Harlem, Frank Lucas builds a powerful heroin empire by exploiting a direct connection to Southeast Asia, challenging the established Mafia networks and corrupting parts of the city's law-enforcement system. Detective Richie Roberts assembles an unconventional task force to investigate Lucas and his organization. Their opposing approaches gradually bring them toward a confrontation that reshapes both their lives and New York's drug trade.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was loosely based on Mark Jacobson's New York magazine article "The Return of Superfly," which examined Frank Lucas' rise and eventual downfall.

• Development began around 2000, but Universal canceled the production in 2004 after the budget increased and disagreements arose over the project's creative direction. The film was later revived with a substantially revised production plan.

• Early versions were set to be filmed partly in Toronto to reduce costs. The completed production instead used extensive New York locations, with additional material filmed in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

• The production was unusually large in scope, involving approximately 360 scenes filmed across more than 180 locations.

• The Madison Square Garden sequence used about 650 real spectators. Inflatable dummies filled out the rest of the crowd.

• Several local extras in Thailand reportedly had personal connections to the wartime drug-smuggling networks portrayed in the film.

• The real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts both said that the movie took considerable dramatic liberties. Roberts particularly objected to the film's more sympathetic treatment of Lucas.

• The film earned more than $269 million worldwide and received two Academy Award nominations, including one for Ruby Dee's supporting performance.