New York, NY – Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are teaming up once again for their fifth collaboration, their first since 2006’s “Inside Man.” The upcoming film, titled “High and Low,” will be produced by Apple Original Films and A24, and will have a theatrical release by A24 followed by a global launch on AppleTV+.
“High and Low” is a thriller that will commence production in March. It is an English-language reinterpretation of the crime thriller of the same name by Akira Kurosawa. The original 1963 film, based on the Ed McBain novel “King’s Ransom,” tells the story of a businessman’s downfall following a ransom payment to kidnappers.
The script for “High and Low” was developed and written by Alan Fox and Spike Lee, with production handled by A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures. The impact of A24’s recent deal with Max, which covers the pay one window for films, is uncertain for this project.
Todd Black of Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures will produce the feature. Additionally, Spike Lee will serve as executive producer through his production company, 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks. The executive producers include Peter Guber of Mandalay Pictures, Matthew Lindner and Chris Brigham of Juniper Productions, and Katia Washington. Jordan Moldo of Mandalay Pictures is co-producing the film.
Lee and Washington have previously collaborated on “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” and “Inside Man.” This project also marks Washington’s latest collaboration with Todd Black, following their work on “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Equalizer” franchise.
This is Washington’s second collaboration with Apple Original Films, following “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” which earned him his 10th Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Washington is represented by WME, while Lee is represented by Gersh and Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks. Alan Fox is represented by Grandview.
The reunion of Denzel Washington and Spike Lee for “High and Low” is highly anticipated by fans of their previous collaborations. With its talented cast and crew, the film is poised to be another successful addition to their body of work.