Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are set to collaborate once again for their fifth joint venture, marking their first partnership since 2006’s “Inside Man.” The upcoming project, titled “High and Low,” is a thrilling English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic crime thriller from 1963. Apple Original Films and A24 have joined forces to bring this cinematic gem to audiences, with A24 handling the theatrical release before a global rollout on AppleTV+.
Scheduled to begin production in March, “High and Low” will explore the complex narrative inspired by Ed McBain’s novel “King’s Ransom,” portraying the plight of a businessman whose life unravels after a ransom intended for his son inadvertently goes awry.
The original 1963 crime thriller, titled “Tengoku to Jigoku” in Japanese, which translates to “Heaven and Hell,” holds the 86th spot on IMDb’s Top 250 list.
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A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures are the driving forces behind the project, with a script penned by Alan Fox and Spike Lee. Todd Black of Escape Artists, a familiar collaborator with Washington on projects like “The Equalizer” films, and Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures will lead the production team.
While the impact of A24’s recent deal with Max for the film’s pay window remains uncertain, the cast and crew are gearing up for a thrilling production. Spike Lee, not only taking on the director’s chair but also serving as an executive producer through his 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks, is reuniting with Washington for the fifth time. Peter Guber of Mandalay, along with Juniper Productions’ Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington, are also on board as executive producers, with Jordan Moldo co-producing.
This latest collaboration between Denzel Washington and Apple follows their success with “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” securing Washington his 10th Oscar nomination. As the countdown to “High and Low” begins, fans eagerly await the magic that this veteran pair brings to the screen, celebrating their legacy in black and brown Hollywood.