A Highest 2 Lowest star “didn’t even know” his son was auditioning with Denzel Washington, and yes, he got the part. Directed by Spike Lee, the upcoming film is a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963) and stars Washington as a powerful music mogul who becomes the target of a ransom scheme and is forced to make an impossible moral choice.

In addition to Denzel Washington in the lead role, the cast also includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, ASAP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, Aubrey Joseph, Michael Potts, Wendell Pierce, and Elijah Wright. Appearing as themselves are Eddie Palmieri, Anthony Ramos, and Rosie Perez.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Highest 2 Lowest star Jeffrey Wright shared the story of how his son, Elijah Wright, also landed a role in the movie. Originally up for another role, his son’s audition tape impressed Spike Lee, leading to an unexpected audition with Washington.

Jeffrey Wright learned about it just days before, and Washington called him afterward, jokingly pretending his son didn’t get the role, before revealing he had. Elijah Wright earned the part playing his father’s on-screen son and, once filming began, impressed everyone with his performance. Read their full comments below:

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.

What This Means For Highest 2 Lowest

Highest 2 Lowest represents the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, after Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. Though these two frequent collaborators have rightfully stolen many of the headlines, Highest 2 Lowest also features a supporting cast that includes both accomplished veterans and promising newcomers alike.

Jeffrey Wright is an Oscar-nominated actor for his performance in American Fiction, though his son, Elijah Wright, is making his feature film debut, playing the son of his father’s character. The film is a family affair, as Denzel Washington’s daughter, Katia Washington, is also an executive producer on the movie.

In addition to Elijah Wright, rapper Ice Spice also makes her film debut in Highest 2 Lowest, while fellow rapper ASAP Rocky also stars.

Our Take On Highest 2 Lowest’s Cast

As usual, Spike Lee’s latest film has ᴀssembled a strong ensemble cast, with Highest 2 Lowest reviews calling its cast a compelling blend of gravitas and fresh energy. Denzel Washington delivers a commanding and layered turn as the troubled mogul, while Jeffrey Wright brings quiet depth and precision.

Critics also highlight ASAP Rocky’s unexpected dramatic range, Ice Spice’s charismatic screen presence, and Elijah Wright’s natural, heartfelt performance, noting he more than holds his own alongside the veterans, marking an auspicious debut in Highest 2 Lowest.