Four hijackers overtake a NYC subway car, override the "dead-man's switch" – a fail-safe which is supposed to ensure a human driver – manage to extort a $1 million ransom, and then escape off the train before sending it hurtling around the bowels of Manhattan, ensuring that police all head the wrong way.

To call the plan at the center of 1974's "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" genius is an understatement. But how in the world would it work today – with passengers all carrying cell phones, with GPS, with laptop computers and thermo-imaging? That's the big dilemma for screenwriter David Koepp, who recently adapted the novel for director Tony Scott and star Denzel Washington. Read more...

Reporting by Jayson Rodriguez

With Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe tearing up the big-screen (and the box office) in the Harlem-centric biopic "American Gangster," could a follow-up possibly be in the works?

That may be the case according to the film's real-life subject Frank Lucas, who revealed to MTV News that producers are apparently taking a wait-and-see approach to "AG2."

"We might make another movie, I guess," said Lucas. "We're just waiting to see what's going on. I really don't know what [the studio is] talking about. If I see the script and read it, maybe."

There would be plenty of material for a sequel to mine; with Lucas imprisoned, the Harlem drug trade continued unfettered and leaderless, with crack substituted as the substance of choice. Upon release, Lucas turned his attention towards rebuilding the Harlem community, one community program and center at a time.

For our full interview with Frank Lucas, in which he dishes out on everything from his friendship with P. Diddy's father to inaccuracies in "American Gangster," click here.

Down in front! With news on Jennifer Connelly, Guy Pearce, Denzel Washington, and more, our links of the day need to be seen by all.

- Jennifer Connelly joins "The Day The Earth Stands Still" alongside Kathy Bates and Keanu Reeves. Scott Derrickson flick is a remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic. (Variety)

- Could Guy Pearce be replacing Viggo Mortensen in Cormac McCarthy adaptation "Road"? (ShockTillYouDrop)

- A look at the myriad projects from screenwriter du jour Diablo Cody. (Slashfilm)

- Just for fun: Seven movie deaths that would be awesome to have on your tombstone. (Cracked)

That's the question on the streets as Ridley Scott's retro gangbanger epic hits theaters today. In the video below, "American Gangster" castmembers Denzel Washington, Common, RZA and Russell Crowe explain why the flick isn't your average rags-to-riches story. When you're done watching that, click here to read about our report on the "American Gangster" DVD bootlegs flooding the country.

All Tip's character Steve wants to do when he grows up is be just like his Uncle Frank (Denzel Washington), the drug kingpin. Watch the scene below in this exclusive clip from "American Gangster," opening this Friday.

Frankenstein, Wonder Woman, the Joker, and Harry Potter…need we say more?

- It’s Alive! Guillermo del Toro says he “would kill to make” a “Miltonian tragedy” version of “Frankenstein.” (JoBlo)

- Reports indicate Teresa Palmer is a sure thing for Wonder Woman. (Moviehole)

- Joker’s pumpkin begins to rot and decay…on only one side of its face. (Why So Serious)

- I thought I was the gay one. Professor Lupin, David Thewlis, weighs in on Dumbledore’s sexuality. (City News)

- John Travolta joins Denzel Washington in Tony Scott’s “The Taking of Pelham 123” remake, about terrorists who hijack a NYC subway. (Variety)

- Count me out if Kate Beckinsale’s not running around in skin tight leather. “Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans” heading to the big screen. (Variety)

With production only months away, get used to a healthy dose of "Justice League" rumors at least once a week. That and news from Denzel Washington, Steven Spielberg, and Jason Bateman in our links of the day.

- Break out your lasso of truth: Australian actress Victoria Hill on track to be Wonder Woman in "JLA"? (Moviehole)

- Terror in NY: Denzel Washington re-teams with Tony Scott for "The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3." (Variety)

- Play time for Jason Bateman. Thesp joins "State of Play" alongside Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. (Variety)

- A house divided: Mary Todd Lincoln to be played by Sally Field in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming biopic. (Newsweek)

- Ray Liotta hits up crime drama "La Linea." (Hollywood Reporter)

It's been 25 years since jazz legend Thelonious Monk left behind an impressive body of work (classics like "Round Midnight" and "Blue Monk" are probably best known). Of course in an age when music biopics like "Ray" and "Walk the Line" earn multiple Oscar nods and solid money at the box office, it's no surprise that Monk's life would be attractive fodder for the big screen.

Enter "El Cantante" director Leon Ichaso. No stranger to films about dynamic musicians ("El Cantante" tells the story of Salsa singer Hector Lavoe), Ichaso wants to follow up his Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony flick with a film about the storied Jazz man with that oh so memorable name. And he's already got a leading man in mind. Ichaso told MTV News, "I know who I would like. I would love it if Wesley Snipes would do it."

When pressed, the director admits he has talked to Snipes a bit about the project (the two collaborated on "Sugar Hill" in 1994). Read more...