UPDATE: Although today’s press release, via A24 and Apple, specified that the trailer would be released tomorrow, Spike Lee accidentally jump the gun, and posted it on his Instagram. Spike did a similar thing a few weeks ago when “Highest 2 Lowest” didn’t show up inside the Cannes lineup, but he then quickly went on his account to announce that it would play Cannes.
“Highest 2 Lowest,” which will world premiere at Cannes on May 19, is 2 hours and 12 minutes, will be released theatrically on August 22, and is set to stream on September 5 via Apple TV. Yes, that’s only a two-week theatrical run for Spike’s latest film.
Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky star in the film, which is being described as a “reinterpretation” of Akira Kurosawa’s “High & Low.” Lee hired Alan Fox and Lee to write the screenplay.
In the Kurosawa film, the central character is a shoe businessman. In Lee’s interpretation, he’s a New York record executive, played by Denzel. Lee’s film follows the executive as he becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.
The film is set to be Lee and Washington’s fifth film together, and first one in over 20 years. They previously collaborated on “Malcolm X,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “He Got Game,” and “Inside Man.”
