Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have found a new movie to make together in High and Low, and it makes up for a missed opportunity from four years ago. The actor and filmmaker have a storied partnership that spans decades, and it is now officially set to continue with a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. The film marks the sixth collaboration between Denzel and Spike, although it is their first since 2006. The plan is for the High and Low remake to put Denzel Washington back in the lead role of one of Spike Lee’s movies.
Although High and Low is the first collaboration between them in over a decade, the two have remained incredibly busy individually. Denzel has remained a popular figure in Hollywood through franchise roles and Oscar-worthy performances, while Spike has continued to direct a wide range of films. Without the star power of his frequent partner, Spike Lee found new lead actors for his movies in John David Washington, Josh Brolin, Teyonah Parris, Delroy Lindo, and others. However, one of these roles was meant to be another Denzel Washington and Spike Lee movie long before High and Low.
Denzel Washington’s New Spike Lee Movie Breaks New Ground In Their 34-Year Partnership
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are set to remake Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, and it breaks new ground for their partnership after 34 years.
Denzel Washington Was Originally Meant To Star In Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee made a powerful drama in 2020 with Da 5 Bloods, and it has been revealed in the years since its release that Denzel Washington was originally meant to star. The information comes from Giancarlo Esposito as he revealed to Collider that the movie’s cast almost looked very different. According to him, the original Da 5 Bloods cast was Denzel Washington, John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Giancarlo Esposito at one point. The plan changed when production was delayed, resulting in Spike Lee finding an entirely new group of actors to star as the main characters.
Once production was delayed, Spike shifted focus to cast Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Isaiah Whitlock Jr., and Clarke Peters, with Chadwick Boseman playing Norman in flashbacks. It would appear that Denzel Washington’s Da 5 Bloods role was meant to be Paul, the role that Delroy Lindo later received. This would have likely meant John David Washington in Jonathan Majors’ role as David, while Samuel L. Jackson and Giancarlo Esposito could have played Melvin and Otis. However, these castings never came to be.
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High And Low Will Now Finally Bring Denzel Washington & Spike Lee Back Together
A version of Da 5 Bloods where Denzel Washington has the lead role and the movie serves as his reunion with Spike Lee certainly could have been great. Instead of the actor and director reunion happening there, High and Low now becomes more anticipated thanks to its responsibility in that department. The movie will be the first time Denzel and Spike have worked together since Inside Man, which came out 18 years ago. While seeing them reunite for Da 5 Bloods would have ended their drought sooner, at least High and Low makes up for it.
High and Low (Remake)
- Director
- Spike Lee
- Cast
- Denzel Washington
- Where To Stream
- Apple TV+
