Spike Lee’s latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, features Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky sharing pivotal screen time, with Lee noting the rapper’s unexpected ability to hold his own with the seasoned actor. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on July 31, Lee emphasized A$AP Rocky’s strong presence in the film, praising how he stood “toe to toe” with Washington.
Director Sees Natural Chemistry in On-Screen Father-Son Dynamic
Lee revealed that even before joining the project, he perceived a resemblance between Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky that suited the film’s father–son relationship. He pointed out how this physical similarity enriches their performances and dynamic on screen. Lee reiterated the importance of recognizing Rocky’s talent, stating,
“What’s interesting is, even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel’s son. There’s a big resemblance. So when you see it on the screen, it adds an element of father and son. Don’t sleep on A$AP. Don’t sleep on A$AP,”
he said.
A$AP Rocky Holds His Ground as One of the World’s Best Actors
Having worked with Denzel Washington on five films, Lee is well aware of the veteran actor’s commanding presence, which often overwhelms his co-stars. However, Lee commended Rocky for maintaining composure and matching Washington’s intensity rather than being overshadowed. He remarked,
“I’ve done five films with Denzel, and when he’s in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He’s one of the world’s greatest living actors. But A$AP wasn’t having that. Toe to toe. I mean, they were going at it.”
About the Film and Its Release Details
Highest 2 Lowest will be released in theaters on August 15 and will become available on Apple TV+ starting September 5. This movie is an English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese kidnapping thriller High and Low, which itself is inspired by the 1959 novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain. Alongside Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky, the cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, Ice Spice, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, Aubrey Joseph, Michael Potts, Wendell Pierce, and Elijah Wright.
Collaborations and Previous Film Experience
This project marks the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, following notable films such as Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Malcolm X (1992), He Got Game (1998), and Inside Man (2006). A$AP Rocky, also known as the “Peso” artist, has strengthened his acting resume with appearances in films like Dope, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and Monster, further proving his versatility as a performer.
