Fact check: Is Logan Lucky based on a true story?

Fact check: Is Logan Lucky based on a true story? (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Fact check: Is Logan Lucky based on a true story? (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Logan Lucky, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was released in 2017. It follows the Logan brothers as they plot to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during a NASCAR race. Channing Tatum plays Jimmy Logan, and Adam Driver plays Clyde Logan.

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When Jimmy Logan loses his construction job, he teams up with Clyde, a bartender and Iraq war veteran, to execute a high-stakes robbery. The plot is packed with clever schemes, amusing mishaps, and colorful characters. These add to the sense of authenticity and thrill that make audiences believe that the heist might have happened in real life.

The film's compelling narrative and storytelling, combined with Soderbergh's direction, have led many fans to believe it could be based on real-life situations. However, this film is not based on a true story. It is entirely a work of fiction and is written by Rebecca Blunt.

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Did the Logan Lucky heist really happen?

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Logan Lucky is the story of Jimmy and Clyde Logan, two brothers from West Virginia. Jimmy loses his job at the construction company and, along with his brother Clyde, plans a bold robbery at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The heist is meticulously planned and involves a series of clever schemes to break into the Speedway's underground cash vault. They plan the heist on one of the busiest weekends.

Despite the detailed execution and seemingly plausible plot, there is no record of the Logan brothers or a similar heist in real life. Rebecca Blunt created the film's entire story, including characters and events. While the heist feels realistic, it remains a work of fiction.

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What happens in the plot of Logan Lucky?

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Logan Lucky begins by introducing Jimmy Logan, a construction worker who was fired from his job at the Charlotte Motor Speedway due to a pre-existing injury. Jimmy's brother Clyde is a bartender and a war veteran who lost his hand during his service in Iraq. Feeling desperate after losing his job, Jimmy plans to rob the Speedway during a major NASCAR race.

Jimmy uses Clyde's help to participate in the heist. The brothers also recruit their sister, Mellie, a hairdresser. She apparently has a knack for fast driving and becomes part of the team. They visit a notorious safecracker, Joe Bang, to execute the heist. He is seen spending time at the prison.

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Jimmy visits him in prison and convinces him to join the heist. He promises to break him out temporarily and return him without getting caught. The heist plan is complex and requires multiple steps to ensure they can access the vault that holds the Speedway's cash.

On race day, the Logan siblings put their plan into action. Clyde intentionally gets arrested for a minor offense and sent to the same prison as Joe. They stage a fake riot to create a diversion.

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Meanwhile, Mellie and her accomplices, including Joe's dimwitted brothers Fish and Sam, execute the first part of the heist. This includes diverting the Speedway's money transportation system to a different location.

On the other hand, Joe, Clyde, and Jimmy mix gummy bears and bleach to create a homemade explosive. This explosive helps them breach the cash vault. They collect the money and successfully smuggle it out of the Speedway while the race is still ongoing.

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What is the aftermath of the heist in Logan Lucky?

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In the end, after the heist, Clyde and Joe return to prison to avoid suspicion. Everything seems to go according to the plan. However, Jimmy returns most of the stolen money, leaving enough for his family and co-conspirators to solve their financial problems.

The FBI started investigating the case but could not find evidence to make any arrests. This is due to Jimmy's smart decision to return most of the cash. The Logan siblings and the team go back to their regular lives and have gotten away from the crime. The ending shows FBI Agent Sarah Grayson, who has been investigating the case at Clyde's bar. This hints that she may still be looking into the case.

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Logan Lucky combines humor, clever plotting, and engaging characters. It delivers a fresh take on the heist genre while showcasing the resourcefulness of the underdog. Logan Lucky can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.

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Edited by Gayatri Chivukula
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