Denzel Washington and Spike Lee to Reunite for “High and Low,” Their Fifth Film Collaboration

Celebrated actors Denzel Washington and renowned director Spike Lee are joining forces once again for their fifth cinematic endeavor together, marking their first collaboration since 2006’s “Inside Man.” The film, titled “High and Low,” is a partnership between Apple Original Films and A24, with A24 handling the theatrical release before a global launch on AppleTV+.

“High and Low” is a gripping thriller that will commence production in March and serves as an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller of the same name. The original 1963 film, starring Toshiro Mifune, was based on the Ed McBain novel “King’s Ransom,” which delves into the harrowing aftermath of a businessman’s ransom payment to kidnappers.

Developed and produced by A24 in collaboration with Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures, the script for “High and Low” is penned by Alan Fox and Spike Lee himself.

As a co-financier on the project, Apple’s involvement means that “High and Low” will not be part of A24’s recent multi-year deal with competing streaming service Max. This deal covers the “pay one” window for A24 releases, typically referring to the period when a film becomes available on cable or streaming platforms after its initial theatrical release and paid video-on-demand.

The feature will be produced by Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures. Additionally, Lee will not only direct but also serve as an executive producer through his production company, 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks. Other executive producers include Mandalay’s Peter Guber, Juniper Productions’ Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington, with Jordan Moldo co-producing.

Lee and Washington’s previous collaborations include “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” and “Inside Man.” This project also marks Washington’s ongoing partnership with Todd Black, following their successful collaborations on films like “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Equalizer” franchise.

This venture with Apple Original Films is Washington’s second collaboration, following the critically acclaimed “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” also in partnership with A24, which earned Washington his 10th Oscar nomination for Best Actor.