Spike Lee Is Bringing His New Denzel Movie to Cannes

People, myself included, can be a little too hard on directors currently working in Hollywood. The system in place rewards directors capable of working within a big studio and delivering whatever that studio’s version of Kevin Feige may want (I know there are plenty of studio heads just as particular as the MCU head but that’s an easy shorthand). Fitting this bill may help one’s career, but their style and personality may be lost in the shuffle. Some filmmakers manage to avoid losing themselves in big movies, but many deliver paint-by-numbers films because that’s what the business requires. Some, like Spike Lee, continue to do whatever the hell they want.

Lee has a career as an inventive and outspoken movie maker, imbuing all his pictures with his signature eye. I still remember seeing Do The Right Thing for the first time. My mind cracked open as this original voice painted my brain with his words and images in a way I had never witnessed before. One of my favorite moviegoing experiences was seeing BlacKkKlansman at a theater in Amsterdam with an all-white crowd who seemed unsure what to do with a movie filled to the brim with unapologetic blackness. Spike Lee is, forever and always, himself. Onscreen and off. So, it’s a blessing that he’s still making movies.

Now, we know when Spike’s next movie will make its way into the world. Highest 2 Lowest, which will star Spike’s long-time collaborator Denzel Freaking Washington is set to premiere at Cannes (out of competition). “Bon Jour. Good Morning. Whaddup❓Da New SPIKE LEE JOINT-HIGHEST 2 LOWEST Starring My Brother DENZEL WASHINGTON Has Been Invited To Da 2025 CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (In The Out Of Competition Category). AND DAT’S DA BOTTLES OF 🍾 🥂TRUTH,RUTH. YA-DIG❓SHO-NUFF. 🇫🇷💪🏾🇺🇸👍🏾👏🏾🙏🏾🔥🤓” the filmmaker wrote on Instagram.

The film is described as a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. That movie was based on a book called King’s Ransom. Kurosawa’s film tells the story of a Japanese businessman’s attempt to run his shoe company while his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped. Spike’s version will see Denzel as the lead but playing a record mogul, giving the director the ability to have Ice Spice and ASAP Rocky in the cast. Sign me up. Not only does it sound like a fun premise for a Spike Lee movie, it gives Denzel another elders statesman role (which he’s crushing lately).

I’m also intrigued by the notion that the film will tackle someone powerful in the music business trying to retain control. The music business ain’t what it used to be! There is still money to be had, but I’m curious if Lee will dive into how the industry is not the same as it once was. Regardless of how he handles the material, we can be assured that it will feel like a Spike Lee movie, which will be led by a Denzel Washington performance (possibly one of his last). The only way going to the theater to see it would be better is if someone pulled me on a dolly while I stared deeply into a camera.

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