BACK ON A HIGH...

Denzel & Spike reunite for thriller

- By Rachael Davis

WHEN the script for Highest 2 Lowest landed in Denzel Washington's inbox, there was one filmmaker he believed was uniquely qualified to direct the New York-set movie.

The 70-year-old, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a corrupt police officer in the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, sent it to Spike Lee.

Following his 2020 war drama film Da 5 Bloods, the American director, 68, dedicated his time to making documentaries, adverts, and shorts.

Even though he knew Hollywood had been trying to reimagine a thoroughly modern reinterpretation of High and Low, the 1963 crime drama from Akira Kurosawa, he was surprised to receive another "unannounced blessing" from the Gladiator II star.

"He's one of a handful of visionary filmmakers who are unafraid, bold, and brilliant. That was the easiest decision I made with this whole project, asking him to get involved," says Washington.