The Cannes Film Festival is still in full swing, and it had an important premiere for Highest 2 Lowest. Directed by Spike Lee, the reimagining of the Akira Kurosawa classic High and Low lifts the story out of Japan and takes it to modern-day New York City, where a music mogul is threatened by a ransom plot. Unlike big films such as Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson’s Die, My Love, Highest 2 Lowest is not in compeтιтion at Cannes this year.

The movie’s cast is led by Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, marking a significant collaboration. It will be his first role on screen since his well-received supporting performance in Gladiator II last year. Both Washington and Lee are legends in their own right, making the Cannes film among the most exciting movies of the year. But recent news indicates that Highest 2 Lowest may be an even bigger deal than it was initially thought to be.

Highest 2 Lowest Is Likely Denzel Washington & Spike Lee’s Last Movie Together

According To Lee, At Least

In a recent interview at Cannes, Lee mentioned that Highest 2 Lowest is most likely his and Washington’s last film together. Specifically, he said, “I think this is it—five,” referencing the number of films that the pair have worked on together thus far. Washington has not yet commented on the accuracy of this statement, but Lee knows him well and likely has good insight as to what he believed. The director also pointed out that Washington has “been talking about retirement.”

Lee is referencing previous statements that Washington has made about his career future. While 2025 has seen him still actively releasing movies and performing on stage, the actor has been hinting at retirement for years. Last year, he even caused a stir when he implied that he would retire after his current projects. Washington partially walked back this statement, saying that he would instead be slowing down and focusing on projects that he was enthusiastic about. That said, his retirement could be used as further evidence for Highest 2 Lowest being the end of an era.

Denzel Washington & Spike Lee Reuniting For Highest 2 Lowest Is Even More Special Now

It Was Already An Important Reunion

Highest 2 Lowest was already a highly anticipated project, even before this news. The pair have not worked together in nearly two decades, with their previous collaboration being Inside Man in 2006. As such, this movie is an anticipated return of two of cinema’s most valued artists. If this is their last movie together, it adds another layer of importance to Highest 2 Lowest.

While Washington nor anyone else involved in the film has verified Lee’s ᴀssumption about it being their last project together, it would actually be in the movie’s best interest to confirm this information. People love send-offs, whether that be the conclusion of the Mission: Impossible franchise or an actor’s last planned on-screen role. The first Highest 2 Lowest trailer already emphasized their past collaborative work, so noting that it is their last film together, if confirmed, would be a good way to extend the marketing.

Denzel Washington & Spike Lee’s Partnership Has Helped Define Both Of Their Careers

Their Movies Together Are Critically Acclaimed

Washington and Lee’s multi-decade collaboration began with Mo’ Better Blues in 1990. This was a significant project in Lee’s career, as it was his immediate follow-up to the groundbreaking and era-defining Do the Right Thing. Focusing on a jazz musician, Mo’ Better Blues helped solidify the director as an auteur and a leading voice in celebrating Black culture and life in his filmmaking. It also came out soon after Washington got his first Oscar win for Glory, marking a significant period of momentum in his career as well.

The partnership continued two years later with Malcolm X, which would become one of the most critical works in both of their careers. For Washington, it would earn him another Best Actor nomination, and it also broadened the idea of what Lee was capable of as a filmmaker. The critical acclaim continued with their movies He Got Game and Inside Man.

Given this incredible history, a lot is riding on Highest 2 Lowest. At the same time, however, Washington and Lee’s collaborative track record is strong enough that they will almost surely be able to hit it out of the park with this movie, once again. The early reactions from Cannes say that Washington delivers a great performance, which is a good sign. If this movie is their last together, it has the potential to put a phenomenal cap on a legendary 35-year run.