In the upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee, Jeffrey Wright’s son, Elijah Wright, has landed a significant role opposite Denzel Washington, much to the surprise of many, including Jeffrey himself. Set to release in theaters on August 15 and streaming on Apple TV+ from September 5, the film is a modern adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low. Washington stars as a powerful music mogul caught in a ransom plot that presents him with a difficult moral dilemma.
Alongside Denzel Washington, the film features a diverse cast including Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, Aubrey Joseph, Michael Potts, Wendell Pierce, and Elijah Wright. Several personalities also appear as themselves, such as Eddie Palmieri, Anthony Ramos, and Rosie Perez.
Elijah Wright’s Unexpected Rise to the Role
Jeffrey Wright shared the backstory in an interview with ScreenRant revealing that he was unaware his son was auditioning alongside Denzel Washington until shortly before the filming began. Initially, Elijah was considered for a different role by the casting director working with Spike Lee. However, after reviewing Elijah’s previous audition tape, both Spike Lee and the casting team decided to have Elijah audition directly with Washington.
Jeffrey recalled,
“I didn’t even know he was going to be auditioning. He was up for another role with the casting director who was working with Spike on our film, and I’m in rehearsal with Spike one day. He says, ‘Elijah’s reading with Denzel on Monday,’ because the same casting director had sent tape of Elijah from this previous thing and Spike saw it. He said, ‘He’s going to audition with Denzel.’ I said, ‘Really?’ I said, ‘Okay.’ So he went in, that was a Friday. He went in on a Monday.”
Washington later called Jeffrey, teasing that his son might not have landed the role before revealing the good news.
“Denzel says, ‘Ah, you know, he did his best, but maybe there’ll be another day for him, but I don’t think it’s going to work out on this one. He did the best he could, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.’ I said, ‘Wait a minute, you calling on his phone!’ Clearly he was in his good graces then,”
Jeffrey said. Elijah ultimately secured the part of his father’s on-screen son and impressed everyone once filming began.
“Jeffrey Wright: I was very proud of him. Very proud of him. This isn’t his first film. His first film was when he was eight years old. He could barely hold a camera and he was directing films. I had to audition for him. I got a part.
Denzel Washington: (laughs) I was going to say, did you get a part?
Jeffrey Wright: I did pretty well, but no, he’s been curious about film and acting and music for a long time and so to get a chance-
Denzel Washington: Did he study? Did he, has he studied?
Jeffrey Wright: He’s studying, he’s still studying. He’s studying acting at Stella Adler now, and so he’s trying to, you know, he’s at that age where it’s only growth ahead of him and he started in a great place. He got the role auditioning with this gentleman (points to Denzel). I didn’t even know he was going to be auditioning. He was up for another role with the casting director who was working with Spike on our film, and I’m in rehearsal with Spike one day. He says, ‘Elijah’s reading with Denzel on Monday,’ because the same casting director had sent tape of Elijah from this previous thing and Spike saw it. He said, ‘He’s going to audition with Denzel. I said, ‘Really?’ I said, ‘Okay.’ So he went in, that was a Friday. He went in on a Monday.
Denzel Washington: Now did you manage not to screw it up between the Friday and the Monday?
Jeffrey Wright: I did okay (laughs). I did okay. No, I stayed out of it. And then I get a call and Denzel calls and he says, and it was around the time of the audition-
Denzel Washington: (laughs) I forgot this part.
Jeffrey Wright: Denzel says, ‘Ah, you know, he did his best, but maybe there’ll be another day for him, but I don’t think it’s going to work out on this one. He did the best he could, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.’ I said, ‘Wait a minute, you calling on his phone!’ Clearly he was in his good graces then, but it is one thing to get the job, which he did, and then when the cameras rolled on set, he did beautifully. He did. Beautiful. Very proud of him.”
The Family Connection and Its Impact on Highest 2 Lowest
Highest 2 Lowest is notable as the fifth collaboration between director Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, who previously worked together on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. While Washington remains the focal point, the film weaves in a strong ensemble of seasoned actors alongside fresh faces, creating a dynamic and layered narrative.
Jeffrey Wright, known for his Oscar-nominated role in American Fiction, shares this project with his son Elijah, marking the latter’s feature film debut. Elijah plays the son of Wright’s character, adding an authentic familial element to the screen. Additionally, Denzel Washington’s daughter, Katia Washington, serves as an executive producer, reinforcing the family atmosphere surrounding the production.
The cast also introduces new talents from music into acting, with Ice Spice making her first film appearance and ASAP Rocky showcasing his growing dramatic capabilities.
Evaluating the Ensemble Cast’s Contributions
Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest has drawn praise for its carefully selected cast, praised for balancing the gravitas of veteran actors with the fresh enthusiasm of newcomers. Denzel Washington delivers a complex portrayal of a troubled music mogul, while Jeffrey Wright offers a nuanced and restrained performance.
Critics have particularly highlighted ASAP Rocky for revealing unexpected dramatic talent, and Ice Spice for her engaging charisma on screen. Elijah Wright’s natural and sincere acting has been singled out for holding its own alongside the film’s established stars, marking a strong start to his career.
Main Cast Members and Their Roles
- Denzel Washington as David King
- Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher
