Denzel Washington’s new movie Highest 2 Lowest is set to be one of the most important of his career based on recent developments. Between his nine Oscar nominations and two wins, his mulтιтude of box office hits, and the sheer talent and presence he possesses, there’s no debating that Denzel is one of the greatest actors of his generation and maybe of all time.
Through it all, he’s managed to build strong relationships with some of the biggest and best directors in the business. Tony Scott was a go-to partner for Denzel prior to his pᴀssing, while Antoine Fuqua has become his favorite modern partner. He’s made five movies with each of them, but there are also four movies where Denzel worked with Spike Lee so far.
Highest 2 Lowest is the fifth movie that Denzel Washington and Spike Lee will make together, following in the footsteps of Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. Their new film is a crime thriller that reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 High and Low. The remake looks fantastic and heads to theaters on August 22 before debuting on Apple TV+ in September.
It’s already received a strong reaction following its debut at Cannes, giving Denzel and Spike’s newest collaboration an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes so far. And with the built-up anticipation of seeing their first film together in nearly 20 years, Highest 2 Lowest was already a must-see for many. That’s even more true due to what the movie may mean for Denzel Washington and Spike Lee.
Highest 2 Lowest Is Expected To Be Denzel Washington & Spike Lee’s Last Movie Together
Several Factors May Keep Them Apart After
After working together for 35 years, Highest 2 Lowest may now be the last time Denzel Washington and Spike Lee make a movie together. Washington, who is now 70, has spent the last few years talking about retiring from acting soon. That has come as he’s continued to pick up new projects, ranging from Black Panther 3 to more Equalizer movies and a Hannibal the Conqueror biopic.
While the continued additions to Denzel’s filming schedule keeps seemingly pushing off any true retirement, those projects are also limiting how many more movies he’ll actually have time to make before calling it quits. That creates some inherent challenges for Denzel and Spike if they had interest in making a sixth movie together.
But, it appears that there may already be some understanding that Highest 2 Lowest is the end of this incredible collaboration. When Spike Lee went to the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for the movie’s premiere, he spoke about the likelihood that this is the last time he’ll work with Denzel.
It has been a blessing, this body of work between us, doing films that people love. And I think this is it. He’s been talking about retirement. But five films together: that’s good, they stand up.
Based on Spike Lee’s quote, it sounds like the director has accepted that he won’t be working with the actor once more after Highest 2 Lowest. Perhaps this was even understood before they agreed to make the new movie together, which could mean they both approached it as the last time they’ll make a movie together.
There’s clearly no love lost between the two artists or any ill will that would prevent further collaborations from happening. Instead, it’s the limited time the 70-year-old star and 68-year-old director may have to find an opportunity to work together again before one, or both, of them retire.
Why Highest 2 Lowest Ending Denzel & Spike’s Partnership Makes It So Important
They’ve Done A Lot For Each Other
If Highest 2 Lowest is the final time Denzel Washington stars in a Spike Lee movie, it suddenly gains a greater importance in the wider context of their careers and Hollywood. Throughout their time together, Denzel and Spike have both helped get the best out of each other, made critically acclaimed films, and delivered movies audiences have really enjoyed.
Although both have found success away from each other, their films together are some that often come to mind first when thinking about their respective careers. This is especially true with Malcolm X, which brought Denzel an Oscar nomination, or Inside Man, which gave them a huge box office hit. They’ve helped elevate each other over the years and really work great together.
Their movies become key works in their individual filmographies that stand out as some of the best each man has done
Whether they’re exploring ideas about fame, power, family, corruption, and more, their movies become key works in their individual filmographies that stand out as some of the best each man has done. The fact that they were able to accomplish this in only five collaborations is impressive when other star-director combos have done a lot more.
This has made them not only one of the industry’s best director-star pairings overall, but it’s also cemented them as the best Black actor-director collaborators ever. All of their films are about the experience of African-Americans and tackle important themes, even when the stories are packaged in entertaining genres.
Highest 2 Lowest is another movie that seemingly is taking the same approach. Denzel and Spike have brought their unique talents together once more to explore major moral and social questions inside a crime thriller that looks wildly entertaining. It’s clear that they’ve joined forces once more to deliver a meaningful message to audiences that also works as a gripping story.
Seeing them work together once more was reason enough to be excited about Highest 2 Lowest. But if the film is also now the last time Denzel Washington and Spike Lee make a movie together, anyone who is a fan of their films together or separately needs to see this one and witness how the two legends conclude an amazing partnership.
