sp; The Hollywood ReporterDania Ramirez ("She Hate Me", "Fat Albert") is in negotiations for a coveted role in the Brian Grazer-produced "American Gangster" opposite Denzel Washington and Benicio Del Toro according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Antoine Fuqua is directing the Universal Pictures/Imagine project, set to start shooting in the Fall for release next November . "Gangster", previously known as "Tru Blu", is based on a New York Magazine article by Mark Jacobson.

Steve Zaillian adapted the work which centers on real-life Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas (Washington), who rose to power in the early 1970s by smuggling heroin into the United States in the caskets of soldiers killed in Vietnam. After detective Richie Roberts (Del Toro) catches up with him, Lucas cooperates with drug enforcement officials and aids Roberts in a dragnet operation.

Ramirez would play the role of a former Miss Puerto Rico who is the wife of Washington's character.