Three former Drug Enforcement Administration agents filed a $55 million defamation lawsuit against the movie studio that made "American Gangster" on Wednesday, claiming it tarnished hundreds of reputations.

The film follows the rise and fall of former Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington. His empire undercut the price and quality of heroin sold by the Mafia, and when he was caught, Lucas turned informant.

In a suit filed in Manhattan federal court, former DEA agents Louis Diaz, Gregory Korniloff and Jack Toal said NBC Universal, the owner of Universal Studios, falsely claimed the movie was based on a true story and misrepresented the events surrounding Lucas.

The film diminished the agents' reputations by falsely claiming that from 1973 to 1985 three-quarters of New York City's DEA agents were convicted criminals, according to the suit, which seeks class action status.

"With this utterly false and defamatory statement, the defendant has ruined and impugned the reputations of these honest and courageous public servants in the eyes of millions of people," the suit said.

The movie, starring Oscar-winners Washington and Russell Crowe, grossed $127 million, according to the lawsuit.

NBC Universal is owned by General Electric. NBC Universal and the Drug Enforcement Administration were not immediately available for comment.