Spike Lee and Denzel Washington‘s first four movies together are: Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. Pretty good track record! They will soon start working on their fifth collaboration with help from one of the most in-demand rappers out there: Ice Spice.
Variety reports that Ice Spice has joined the cast of High and Low, Lee’s English-language reinterpretation of the Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller of the same name. This will be the “Munch (Feelin’ U)” rapper’s acting debut, unless you count her recent appearance on Hot Ones, which you should. She suffered for her art.
“I didn’t ever really like see myself being a rapper,” Spice said on Hot97’s Ebro in the Morning in 2023. “I always wanted to be an actress. That was like, my first passion.”
Apple Original Films, which partnered with A24 on the “Spike Lee joint,” shared a photo of the filmmaker and Washington on X to announce that production has begun on the project. “No. 5 now in production,” it reads.
Lee’s High and Low does not currently have a release date, but it will be released theatrically by A24 before a global launch on AppleTV+. You can watch the original film on Max.
Ice Spice will be joining Denzel Washington in the cast for Spike Lee’s highly-anticipated reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary thriller, High and Low. While it marks the Bronx rapper’s first time working with Lee, it will also be her feature film debut. It will be the fifth time Lee and Washington have collaborated over the years and their first time doing so since 2006’s Inside Man. The news comes after Spice and Lee previously posed for a photo together in Brooklyn, earlier this year.
Kurosawa released High and Low back in 1963 and it remains one of the Japanese filmmaker’s most iconic movies, along with Yojimbo, Ikiru, Seven Samurai, Ran, and more. The story follows a businessman torn between gaining executive control and helping an employee by lending him the money to free his child from kidnappers.
Ice Spice at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
Spice previously suggested she wanted to pursue a career in acting during an interview with Ebro Darden, Laura Stylez, and Peter Rosenburg on HOT 97 in January 2023. “I didn’t ever really like see myself being a rapper,” she admitted. “I always wanted to be an actress. That was my first passion.” A year later, she appeared in a Super Bowl ad for PepsiCo’s lemon-lime soda, Starry. Speaking on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she described it as her acting debut. “For me, that will act as an introduction to acting,” she said. “Which is crazy, because that’s not a lot of people’s introduction. It’s a lot of pressure because it’s such a big platform. But regardless, I’m grateful I got to have that experience. It was definitely a challenge delivering the lines and stuff like that.”
As for the music side of her career, Spice is hard at work on her debut studio album, Y2K. The project is set to release at some point this year. Be on the lookout for further updates on Ice Spice on HotNewHipHop.
The stars keep adding on for Spike Lee’s newest film from A24 and Apple Studios. Award nominees Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera from Godfather of Harlem are set to star in High and Low alongside icon Denzel Washington. I mean, Wright and Washington, on-screen together, already seems like an amazing one-two punch. Hadera’s addition makes the top-line cast even more enjoyable.
Lee’s High and Low is being developed and produced by A24, best known for its slate of thought-provoking and award-worthy films. Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures are also producing. Alan Fox and Lee wrote the film. Billed as a thriller and described as the “English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller,” it begins production this month.
Thankfully, A24 is releasing the film in theaters before launching at a later date on Apple TV+.
Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures are producers.
Lee is serving as executive producer through his long-standing 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks. Mandalay’s Peter Guber is serving as executive producer, along with Juniper Productions’ Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington. Mandalay’s Jordan Moldo is in as co-producer.
High and Low marks Washington’s second Apple Original Films project after his performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth. But get this: it’s the fifth Lee-Washington collaboration as director and actor following Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. I don’t know about you, but we’re excited for what’s to come with this one.
One of the best moments from the past weekend was a link-up between Moneybagg Yo and Denzel Washington.
Moneybagg shared images from lunch with the iconic actor, revealing he let the Hollywood star wear his diamond flood Audemars Piguet watch. He says of the link up:
You s Aint Having Lunch Wit Denzel , Stop It !! Psa : I Let Em Rock Da AP He Said Its Time To Feed Da Streets . #SPEAK
Moneybagg Yo recently revealed that he entered another echelon of rapper/actor crossover in the A-list celebrity world. “You [ninja emoji]s Aint Having Lunch Wit Denzel , Stop It !!” he captioned an Instagram post that pictures him with none other than Denzel Washington. In fact, the Memphis MC even flexed how he lent the legendary actor his Audemars Piguet watch and included a wild pic of him wearing two watches on his wrist, one of them being the AP. “Psa : I Let Em Rock Da AP He Said Its Time To Feed Da Streets. #SPEAK,” he added. We can’t help but wonder what on Earth prompted this crossover.
Regardless of its origin, we’re glad it happened, as these are two titanic champions of focused and hard work in their respective fields. For example, Denzel Washington and Moneybagg Yo probably spoke on their business endeavors, their art, the former’s upcoming or recent roles, or the latter’s record label. On that note, actually, maybe Denzel had something to weigh in on regarding DeJ Loaf recently calling Moneybagg out for allegedly stealing her name for his Loaf Boyz label. It was a bizarre attack online, but we can’t deny that folks typically don’t appreciate the MC like they should.
As for The Equalizer star, his relationship with hip-hop is relatively well-known. He actually spoke on what it was like to meet a much younger Drake, and it would be interesting to hear what he’d have to say about Moneybagg Yo. “I met a kid in Toronto who came up and was fascinated with me because I was, like, this star,” Denzel Washington told Good Morning America almost a year ago. “He wanted to talk to me and he couldn’t believe that he met me. Well, 10 or 15 years later, he came up and he said, ‘You don’t remember when you met me?’ I said no. His name is Drake.”
Meanwhile, the CMG affiliate is also dealing with some drama outside of the musical realm thanks to cheating accusations. However, he said that he and Ari Fletcher are just fine, and things seem quite chill on that front at press time. We wonder if any or all of these topics came up in this duo’s conversation, or if that connection is beyond our comprehension. Nevertheless, for more news and updates on Moneybagg Yo and Denzel Washington, check back in with HNHH.
Acting icon Denzel Washington is heading back to Broadway, and he is poised to play Othello, William Shakespeare’s tragic African general. The new production will be opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. Talk about two Hollywood heavyweights sharing the stage for one of Shakespeare’s greatest stories.
Kenny Leon is directing the production of Othello by producer Brian Anthony Moreland. Washington plays Othello, and Gyllenhaal stars as Lago, his nemesis who ruins his life and marriage.
Most of the upcoming Broadway rendition of Othello is being kept under wraps, but the production will kick off in the spring of 2025.
The last time Washington dipped his toe into Shakespeare was in Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 film Much Ado About Nothing. The film also starred Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves and Michael Keaton. Washington also starred in The Tragedy of Macbeth, an Apple TV+ film directed by Joel Coen, and co-starred Frances McDonald and Alex Hassell.
Washington is also starring as another iconic historic African general, Hannibal, in a film by Antoine Fuqua.
This is a big deal. Two cultural icons are teaming up again. Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are adapting a 1963 Japanese crime thriller from Akira Kurosawa. Variety reported that the pair, who haven’t worked together since the 2006 bank robbery film Inside Man, are working with Apple and A24 on High and Low, marking the fifth time Washington and Lee made a movie together.
High and Low is framed as a “reinterpretation” of Kurosawa’s 1963 film starring Toshiro Mifume. Way to keep the nostalgia and original essence going. Now get this: the films are based on the source material – a novel, King’s Ransom, by author Ed McBain, in a story that “follows a businessman’s life becoming a shell of its former self after kidnappers demand a ransom payment.”
The new script is from Lee and Alan Fox and was developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures. The good news is that the new High and Low will hit theaters through A24 and then hit Apple TV+.
The producing team includes Escape Artists Todd Black and Mandalay Pictures’ Michael Berman. Lee will also serve as executive producer under his company, 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks, with Mandalay Pictures’ top brass, Peter Gruber. Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington are also executive producing for Juniper Productions, with Mandalay Pictures’ Jordan Moldo as co-producer.
ICYMI, Washington, is starring in Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming epic about Carthaginian General Hannibal. WOW. There hasn’t been a challenging start date on when production will begin on this. Still, the excitement is already brewing, especially among those interested in untold stories of historical Black figures worldwide. Let’s just say Hannibal was undoubtedly one of those names.
Iconic actor Denzel Washington is set to headline an upcoming film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. The untitled project, produced by Fuqua, Washington, Erik Olsen, and Adam Goldworm, explores the life of Hannibal, a renowned military commander, in key battles against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.
Executive producers include Jeremy Lott and Frank Moll. This historical epic marks a significant collaboration under Fuqua’s production company Hill District Media’s first-look deal with Netflix. The film promises a gripping portrayal of Hannibal’s extraordinary journey and is poised to join Netflix’s roster of compelling original content.
On this date in 2007, Jay-Z released his American Gangster album, which also served as the soundtrack to the movie of the same name with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
It was a conceptual album that was inspired by the film of the same name. The album spawned hits like “I Know”, “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)”, and “Blue Magic”. Guest features include Idris Elba, Lil Wayne, Beanie Sigel, and Nas. The album features production from Diddy, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, and The Hitmen.
American Gangster debuted at number one on Billboard 200, selling 425,861 copies in the first week. This album tied Jigga with Elvis Presley for second-most number one albums. It was a commercial success and viewed as a good follow-up from Hov’s 2006 album Kingdom Come.
Denzel Washington is a Hollywood legend, and that goes without saying. His seamless portrayal of different types of characters has greatly highlighted his versatility over the decades. Moreover, this versatility also shines through his ability to play historical figures. Throughout his illustrious career, Denzel Washington has taken on real-life roles portraying the likes of Malcolm X and Frank Lucas.
A multiple Oscar-award-winning actor, Denzel Washington has played a few unforgettable roles. From Glory in the 1980s to The Pelican Brief in the early 1990s and even The Little Things in 2021, Denzel’s powerful presence and immersion into his characters always make his movies memorable. With so many acclaimed, unforgettable performances in his resume, let’s review some of the times Denzel has displayed incredible acting dexterity. They’ve become etched in the memories of moviegoers for a long time.
7. Antwone Fisher (2002)
Antwone Fisher is a film about a young US Navy sailor (who goes by the same name) with a troubled past. After a violent confrontation with a colleague, Antwone is forced to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Jerome Davenport, a character played by Washington. In this role as a psychiatrist, Washington is a compassionate guide that helps Antwone gradually deal with his issues and re-discover himself. The movie won multiple awards, including the Stanley Kramer Award from the Producers Guild of America. This was especially noteworthy because of how it highlighted critical social issues. Furthermore, Antwone Fisher is also an example of Washington’s ability to portray real characters. The movie was based on the life of an actual former US Navy sailor.
6. Fences (2016)
Denzel’s role in Fences is unforgettable because of how well he immersed himself into the character of Troy Maxson, a frustrated man. Set in the 1950s, the movie highlights the pains of a Black family man who used to be a baseball player but now works as a garbage collector. Moreover, Troy Maxson is angry about the failure he feels his life has become. Coupled with this is the harshness the system metes out to him as a Black man. Eventually, he takes it out on his family, including his wife, played rather flawlessly by Viola Davis. Thanks to both Washington’s and Davis’ powerful acting and presence, Fences earned four Academy Awards nominations, with the latter winning for Best Supporting Actress.
5. American Gangster (2007)
This crime drama sees Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a real-life depiction of a drug lord who controlled the heroin trade in Harlem. American Gangster showed Lucas as a ruthless yet vulnerable and calculating drug mastermind. Like most crime overlords in history, he got caught. However, Lucas went down with style, snitching on so many New York cops that a good number of them were arrested and convicted. American Gangster was a critical darling, eventually earning multiple Academy Award nods. Overall, it grossed over $260 million worldwide.
4. Inside Man (2006)
In one of his most captivating roles ever, Denzel Washington portrayed an NYPD negotiator (Detective Keith Frazier) in Inside Man. A bank heist goes down, and Detective Frazier is called upon to handle the situation. Keith Frazier is one of Denzel’s most unforgettable roles because of the wit with which he delivered his lines in the film. Besides this, Inside Man has quite an intriguing plot. Moreover, it’s worth the watch for its captivating, dramatic moments.
3. Philadelphia (1998)
In Philadelphia, Denzel Washington starred as Joe Miller, a personal injury lawyer representing Andrew Beckett, played by Tom Hanks. Beckett, who is also a lawyer, gets fired from his law firm on suspicions of being gay and having AIDS. He ends up convincing a reluctant Joe Miller to represent him. As the plot develops, it is evident that Joe Miller’s inclinations change, and he becomes more open-minded.
Philadelphia was one of the first Hollywood films that shined an unbiased light on the topic of AIDS. The movie also continued establishing Denzel Washington as an actor with great range. Moreover, his ability to take on and succeed in roles that depicted social issues has become a prominent part of his career. That also makes Joe Miller one of Denzel’s most unforgettable roles.
2. Malcolm X (1992)
Malcolm X is another film where Denzel Washington depicted a real-life person. Collaborating with director Spike Lee on this one, Washington acts out Malcolm X’s life from his humble beginnings to his life as a preacher and leader. Unfortunately, Malcolm X was nominated for two Academy Awards but didn’t win any, greatly displeasing his longtime friend, Spike Lee. However, it won multiple NAACP awards, including the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Award.
1. Training Day (2001)
It would be difficult to think of unforgettable Denzel Washington roles without Training Day coming to mind. Known for its description of blatant and unabashed corruption, Training Day is a masterpiece that still holds relevance in film culture today. Washington masterfully played the role of Alonzo Harris, a police detective and the head of LAPD’s narcotics division.
As the name suggests, the film is set across one day – one day for Alonzo Harris to show newly promoted detective Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) how to be a narcotics detective. Unbeknownst to Jake, however, Detective Harris works with the Russian mafia and would do anything to achieve his criminal objectives. Since Training Day, Alonzo Harris has become an important name in crime cinema. Denzel Washington deviated from his usual role as a hero and played a villain with dastardly motives. Overall, Washington was electric in his role, delivering a standout performance. It’s no wonder it won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
s Aint Having Lunch Wit Denzel , Stop It !!
