Spike Lee to Direct ‘Liberty'

Spike Lee is “eyeing” to direct “Liberty,” a comedic military drama based on a pitch from writers Rebecca Murga and Jalysa Conway (via Deadline). No casting details were provided with the report.

“Liberty,” being compared to “The Last Detail,” follows a group of military cadets on one crazy night in New York City during Fleet Week. Murga and Conway are military veterans, and signs are pointing towards this one potentially heading to Amazon Studios.

Lee previously had two projects in development: “Da Understudy” starring Jonathan Majors (good luck with that one) and his Viagra musical “Boner.” Odds are that they have been shelved for “Liberty” which is speeding up in development and could be Lee’s next film.

Last year, Lee shot “Highest 2 Lowest,” starring Denzel Washington, for A24 and Apple Studios. The film is reported to be a “reinterpretation” of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low.” I’ve heard a summer 2025 release has been set up for Lee’s “reinterpretation” with a splashy premiere set up at the Cannes Film Festival.

Kurosawa’s classic 1963 crime thriller followed an executive at a Yokohama shoe company who becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.

Lee’s last two projects, both released in 2020 during the pandemic, were “Da 5 Bloods,” and the David Byrne music documentary “American Utopia.” His most notable works include “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcom X,” “The 25th Hour,” “Jungle Fever,” “Summer of Sam” and “BlacKKKlansman.”