Spike Lee cast A$AP Rocky in his new movie after seeing a meme on Instagram which compared him to Denzel Washington. The viral comparison had been circulating on social media for years, capturing the attention of fans and filmmakers alike.
The director hired the rapper to star in his new film ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ alongside the Oscar-winning actor and he’s revealed he initially thought about the music star for the role after seeing social media posts which joked he could be Washington’s son. This casting choice demonstrates how digital culture now influences traditional filmmaking decisions.
“What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram four or five years ago and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son. I seen those memes and then in the film we used that,” Lee told the ‘7PM in Brooklyn’ podcast. The podcast has become a popular venue for directors to discuss their creative process and upcoming projects.
“A$AP, man, he fire. I mean, there’s some scenes where him and D [Washington} head to head – he ain’t backing up. Like: ‘I’m here too.’ So very, very happy with the way the film turned out and looking forward to sharing it with the world.” Early reactions suggest the on-screen chemistry between the two actors creates some of the film’s most compelling moments.
A$AP Rocky made his screen debut in 2015 film ‘Dope’ and was recently seen in ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’, which hit cinemas in January. The rapper has been steadily building his acting resume while maintaining his successful music career.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ is a new interpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese film ‘High and Low’ and it’s due to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May. The festival selection signals the film’s artistic ambitions and potential international appeal.
The original told the story of the wealthy head of a show company who is drawn into a terrifying crime when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom. Kurosawa’s work is considered a masterpiece of world cinema, making Lee’s reinterpretation a bold artistic choice.
In Lee‘s movie, Washington plays a music mogul who is targeted in a ransom plot. The contemporary setting allows Lee to explore modern themes of wealth disparity and moral responsibility while honoring the structure of Kurosawa’s original narrative.
The director previously insisted his film is not a remake of the 1963 movie, telling Deadline.com: “This is not a remake, this is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s great film. In Kurosawa’s film, Toshiro Mifune is a shoemaker. In our film Denzel Washington is a music mogul with his own label and his reputation as the best ears in the business. So, this is the fifth film with the dynamic duo [himself and Washington].” This distinction highlights Lee’s respect for cinema history while asserting his own creative vision.
‘Highest 2 Lowest‘ is Lee’s fifth film with Washington. They previously worked together on ‘Mo’ Better Blues’, ‘Malcolm X’, ‘He Got Game’ and ‘Inside Man’. Their creative partnership spans decades and has produced several acclaimed works that have defined American cinema.
The collaboration between Lee, Washington, and Rocky represents an intriguing blend of established industry veterans with emerging talent from the music world. The casting reflects Lee’s continued interest in bridging different aspects of Black culture and entertainment.
The film’s production brings together many of Lee’s frequent collaborators both in front of and behind the camera, ensuring his distinctive visual style and narrative approach remain intact. The screenplay adapts Kurosawa’s themes for contemporary American audiences while exploring issues of class, power, and morality.
Following its Cannes premiere, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ is expected to receive a theatrical release later this year. Film enthusiasts are particularly interested in seeing how Lee translates the psychological tension of Kurosawa’s original work into a modern setting.
Industry observers note that the casting of A$AP Rocky continues Hollywood’s trend of bringing musical artists into dramatic roles, following successful crossovers by other performers. The rapper’s involvement is likely to attract younger audiences who might not be familiar with the source material.
