Iconic actor-director duo Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have set the entertainment world abuzz with the announcement of their reunion on a new film: a remake of Akira Kurosawa‘s acclaimed film High and Low.
The original 1963 film, known for its gripping narrative and groundbreaking cinematography, is revered as a classic of Japanese cinema. Washington and Lee’s decision to tackle this revered work marks a reunion of the two titans for the first time since 2006’s Inside Man. Apple Original Films and A24 are partnering on the film, which will be released theatrically by A24 before a global launch on AppleTV+.
The crime thriller starts production in March and will be an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic. The original film starring Toshiro Mifune was based on the Ed McBain novel King’s Ransom, which chronicles the ruin of a businessman following a ransom payment to kidnappers.
The feature will be produced by Todd Black (Emancipation, The Equalizer films) for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman (Air, Nine Days) for Mandalay Pictures.
High and Low marks Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s marks the pairs fifth film together, previously collaborating on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game and Inside Man. It also marks the latest project for Washington with Todd Black following collaborations on Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and The Equalizer franchise.
Though no confirmation has been made, it’s assumed that Denzel Washington will be playing a new version of Toshiro Mifune’s wealthy executive character, Kingo Gondo. The remake’s script is being co-written by Spike Lee and Alan Fox. No other casting news or a release date has been announced yet.
