Spike Lee has stated that he will probably not collaborate with Denzel Washington again after their fifth joint film, titled Highest 2 Lowest. During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, Lee expressed that their creative partnership has been a blessing, but this could be the end of the road. “I don’t know if we are going to make more [films]; I think this is it: five,” the director said.
A reinterpretation of an absolute classic of Japanese cinema
Highest 2 Lowest, which premieres in theaters on August 22 and will be available on Apple TV+ on September 5, is a reinterpretation of the classic film High and Low by Akira Kurosawa. Since their first collaboration in 1990 with Mo’ Better Blues, the pair has worked on iconic works such as Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. However, Lee has noted that Washington’s recent comments about a possible retirement have influenced his decision to end this fruitful collaboration.
Denzel Washington has given hints about his future in the film industry, mentioning that he plans to retire after completing certain projects. Among them are a historical drama about the Carthaginian general Hannibal and an adaptation of his Broadway production, Othello. Additionally, he has expressed interest in participating in Black Panther 3, although there are no guarantees of his inclusion in the project. Nate Moore, the film’s producer, has also expressed his desire to have Washington in the Marvel Universe, although it is still unknown how the plans will develop.
Despite his possible retirement, Washington has clarified that he will not completely leave cinema, but will reduce his workload and focus on projects that interest him. “I am not retiring. It’s not like everything will end on June 5,” the actor clarified, leaving the door open for future selective collaborations.
