A$AP Rocky Is Officially Cast in Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Reimagining with Denzel Washington

A$AP Rocky is making moves with his film career: The rapper is starring in “Highest 2 Lowest,” Spike Lee‘s upcoming reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low” that also stars Denzel Washington.

A$AP Rocky’s casting was rumored after set photos circulated of him in character as Yung Felon. An individual with knowledge of the project has now confirmed to IndieWire that A$AP Rocky will have a leading role in feature. Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Ice Spice are also listed as starring in the film.

“Highest 2 Lowest” is set as an Apple Original film, in partnership with A24 which plans to release the film theatrically before it streams on Apple TV+. This will be the first time that Washington and Lee will work together since 2006’s “Inside Man.” In total, it’s their fifth film together in addition to “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” and “He Got Game.”

The duo reunite with producer Todd Black, who produced Washington’s “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “The Equalizer” films. Alan Fox wrote the screenplay with director Lee, who will executive produce through his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks banner. 

Kurosawa’s “High and Low” starred Toshiro Mifune as a cobbler who is extorted after his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.

A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, made his acting debut in 2015 coming-of-age film “Dope.” He went on to appear “Zoolander 2” (2016) and more, including a short film with partner Rihanna.

It’s unclear how his role as Yung Felon in “Highest 2 Lowest” relates to the original Kurosawa plot. Lee did note that A$AP Rocky will have the “main role” in the feature, though.

“This is not a remake, this is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s great film,” Lee told Deadline. “In Kurosawa’s film, Toshiro Mifune is a shoemaker. In our film Denzel Washington is a music mogul with his own label and his reputation as the best ears in the business. So, this is the fifth film with the dynamic duo.”

And A$AP Rocky is not the only rapper to be collaborating with A24: Tyler, The Creator is making his acting debut in director Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” at the indie studio. “Marty Supreme” will be Safdie’s first film since “Uncut Gems.”