Latest news with #HighAndLow
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why It Took 35 Years for Spike Lee's ‘Highest 2 Lowest' to Hit Theaters
Producer Jason Michael Berman was in grade school, while screenwriter Alan Fox was a toddler when Hollywood first tried to get a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High and Low off the ground. Thirty five years later, they are two of the people responsible for it finally hitting theaters as Highest 2 Lowest, the first collaboration between director Spike Lee and star Denzel Washington in 18 years. The year was 1990. More from The Hollywood Reporter Spike Lee Walks Back Comment That 'Highest 2 Lowest' Will Be His Last Film With Denzel Washington: "I Got My Mind Right" Official 'Highest 2 Lowest' Trailer Features Denzel Washington in Tense Calls With Kidnapper 2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival Opening Lineup Announced Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet was hired to write a remake of High and Low, which was based on the Ed McBain novel King's Ransom and followed a Japanese shoe executive whose driver's son is mistakenly targeted by kidnappers. Mamet turned in a few drafts, but it never got off the ground. From there, a procession of writers and directors followed. Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols and I'm Still Here Oscar winner Walter Salles were attached to direct at various points, while scribes involved included Jeff King and Ransom screenwriter Richard Price. Mamet even returned to try a new draft in 2009, while a year after that, Chris Rock took a stab at his own script. Along the way, power producer Scott Rudin boarded to shepherd it along. In all, Disney spent around $10 million on development costs via its Touchstone and Miramax labels, where the project was set up at various points. (It was, after all, the era in which screenwriters were paid millions for their services.) Then, the project languished. Cut to 2019. Producer Berman got a call from Washington's longtime WME agent, Andrew Finkelstein. Finkelstein said his Oscar-winning client had long been interested in High and Low, but it needed a fresh take, a reason for it to exist today. Not only that, the rights would soon be up for grabs after lapsing at Disney. 'He told me, 'This is a lottery ticket. You're either throwing $150,000 for rights into the fire, or you're going to find a great writer, and you're going to get the rights and go make it,'' recalls Berman, known for Ben Affleck's Air and now the president of his A/Vantage Pictures. Berman decided to take a chance on the so-called lottery ticket, joining forces with Rudin, and finding a partner to put up the $150,000 for the rights. He then spent three years negotiating with the Kurosawa estate before ultimately securing a rights extension. (Rudin ultimately departed the project after his Hollywood career imploded in 2021 following allegations of abusive behavior.) With the rights in hand, Berman still needed to solve the problem that no one had cracked: find a script that someone would actually make. 'It was a high bar,' says Berman. 'To get a movie that has that much money against it made, you need to deliver a script to a movie star who can justify the budget.' That's because whoever made it would need to negotiate with Disney to cover the $10 million-plus in chain of title costs related to rights and screenplay costs from its decades in development. While heavyweight writers had penned previous drafts, Berman decided to bring the concept to acquaintance Alan Fox, an unknown screenwriter who'd written several unproduced scripts for players such as Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal. On the surface, Fox didn't look like the natural choice. Even the screenwriter even had doubts. 'It was a murderer's row of people that had done previous drafts of it,' recalls Fox, who got to know Berman on a previous project that didn't go. 'It was a kind of, 'Really man? You sure this is what you want to do?'' The opportunity came at just the right time for Fox. In the three months before Berman approached him, he'd had three movies with stars and directors attached all disappear. And his girlfriend of a few years broke up with him, too. Fox pitched setting the movie in the world of New York music, drawing from his experience of knowing the driver for a prominent record label executive. Meanwhile, Washington's agent Finkelstein suggested bringing in veteran producer Todd Black, known for the star's The Equalizer movies. Berman was excited, because he had known Black from interning for him 20 years earlier while in his freshman year at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Together, Berman and Black took Fox's pitch to A24, who agreed to hire Fox as the writer to expand his idea into a script. The pressure was high, as Washington was still not on board, and would only have a small window to read the script in between work on projects such as Gladiator II and The Equalizer 3. The entire movie depended on him saying yes. 'They were like, 'The big guy is coming off of Equalizer come January. If he doesn't have something to read, then you miss your window,'' recalls Fox. Fox relocated from New York to the deserts of Arizona to write for a few months, studying Washington's films to cater it to him. He also absorbed the original Kurosawa movie and read the filmmaker's autobiography. He realized that if Kurosawa's movie was about early capitalism in Japan, the new version could be about late-stage capitalism in America. He made it a generational story, with Washington playing a fading music mogul who goes toe-to-toe with a younger man, later cast as A$AP Rocky. He infused it with themes of social media and today's attention economy. Fox delivered the script to Berman and fellow producer Black in January 2023. There wasn't much to polish, but longtime Washington collaborator Black had concerns about the ending. 'Originally, my ending, in his words, was 'not the kind of ending that Denzel's target audience in Long Beach would want to see,'' recalls Fox with a laugh. Fox admits to feeling defensive, but ultimately tweaked the ending before the team sent it to Washington. After years on the project, Berman didn't have to wait long for an answer. Washington sent the script to Spike Lee before he had even told Berman and Black he was in. The filmmaker was soon on board. 'Spike flew out to meet with Todd and I, and said, 'Let's do it,' recalls Berman. The film is now in theaters, and will arrive on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5. It marks the fifth collaboration between Washington and Lee. It bowed at the Cannes Film Festival to strong reviews, and stands at a 91 percent critics ratings on Rotten tomatoes. As for Berman and Fox, they have other projects in development, and also collaborate on the podcast Notes with Jack, which has a round-about connection to Highest 2 Lowest. The podcast centers around Fox's conversations with 86-year-old Tony winning director Jack O'Brien, for inter-generational conversations about creativity. (When you see Highest 2 Lowest, you may notice a scene or two that mirrors their chats, though in a much less friendly way.) 'There was a lot of risk and a lot of money involved that could have just disappeared,' says Berman of boarding the project six years ago. But partners such as A24 and Apple took a chance on Fox, 'a young talent who had never had a screenplay produced before, and gave that talent a chance.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 25 Best U.S. Film Schools in 2025 The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Solve the daily Crossword
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘Highest 2 Lowest' Review: Spike Lee's Spin on Kurosawa
Though 68 years old now, Spike Lee retains the spirit of the precocious film student he once was. Exuberant and experimental, he has played with form and genre over the course of an up-and-down career whose constant has been an ardent love of movies. So it feels natural that his new film should be inspired by a pillar of any good cinephile's curriculum: Akira Kurosawa's 'High and Low,' as dazzling a directorial masterclass as anyone has ever made. That Japanese classic, a dogged procedural and a troubling drama of the tensions between rich and poor, was released in 1963. Mr. Lee has updated it to modern-day New York and called the involving if uneven result 'Highest 2 Lowest,' the original title stretched to extremes befitting a city where supertall apartment buildings seem to spring eternal. And as Kurosawa worked with his great star, Toshiro Mifune, so has Mr. Lee reunited with his, Denzel Washington, playing the music mogul David King.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Spike Lee thinks Highest 2 Lowest will be his last collaboration with Denzel Washington
In the neo-noir crime thriller, an English-language reimagining of the Japanese film High and Low, Washington plays a music mogul who becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped by mistake. It marks Lee and Washington's fifth collaboration after Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game and 2006's Inside Man - and it may well be their last. "I think this is it – five. He's been talking about retirement, so... Even though he just did another deal. I thought you said you were retired Denzel, what's up?! But those five films together, those stand up.".
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Denzel Washington's rant at Cannes photographer revealed by lip reader after row kicks off on red carpet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DENZEL Washington's Cannes rant has been revealed by a lip reader after he rowed with a photographer on the red carpet. Acting legend Denzel, 70, was caught pointing angrily at a photographer in the tense moment as he posed for pictures outside the Palais des Festivals on Monday. 4 Denzel Washington hit out at a Cannes photographer in an explosive red carpet clash Credit: Getty According to expert, Jeremy Freeman, the row began after the photographer allegedly tapped the star on his arm - prompting the Oscar winner to turn and deliver a stern warning. According to his analysis for MailOnline, he said: 'Hey, one - one more time, stop. Let me tell you - stop, stop - never put your hands on me again." Despite the warning, the photographer - who was seen smiling during the encounter - reportedly replied, 'Not allowed." He's believed to have added, 'Yes, yes, yes,' before reaching out again and asking, 'Can I take a picture?' Denzel, clearly unimpressed, responded: 'Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it." The Hollywood icon had been walking the carpet alongside his Highest 2 Lowest co-star A$AP Rocky, 36, when the incident unfolded. Despite the brief flare-up, the director's evening wasn't without celebration. During the premiere, he was surprised on stage with an honorary Palme d'Or, presented by long-time collaborator and friend Spike Lee. Spike said: 'This is my brother, right here,' handing over the award. 'A total surprise for me!' Denzel replied, beaming as he stood beside Spike and Rocky for photos. Denzel Washington's daughter Katia stuns fans as she makes rare red carpet appearance with very tall wife Highest 2 Lowest is a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High And Low. Although it was missing from the official Cannes lineup when first announced, director Spike later revealed the film would appear at the festival, with confirmation hinging on whether Denzel would be able to attend. The film will hit cinemas via A24 on August 22, followed by a release on Apple TV+ on September 5. This isn't the first time Denzel has had a tense run-in with members of the public. In October 2024, the Training Day star was seen confronting autograph hunters outside the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where he was attending a benefit honouring Samuel L. Jackson. In video footage from that night, Denzel appeared visibly annoyed as he addressed one man in the crowd, saying, 'I heard you. You talk about showing love… respecting me.' When the man responded, 'We already do,' Denzel snapped back, 'I said I'll see you when I get out - which part of that don't y'all understand? "It's about showing love… or not, or not! We can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!' He then turned and walked into the building. Another memorable encounter came in 2021, when he was seen deep in conversation with a fan on a New York sidewalk. The man approached him with a stack of photos to sign, prompting a seemingly intense back-and-forth. Eyewitnesses said Denzel placed both hands on the fan's shoulders and appeared to share a serious message, momentarily ignoring social distancing. While the actor kept his mask on, the fan had lowered his, and one onlooker claimed he told the man to 'say a prayer' - though it's unclear what exactly was said. 4 He was caught in the tense exchange with the snapper Credit: Getty 4 His rant has now been revealed by a lip reader Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Denzel Washington's rant at Cannes photographer revealed by lip reader after row kicks off on red carpet
DENZEL Washington's Cannes rant has been revealed by a lip reader after he rowed with a photographer on the red carpet. Acting legend Advertisement 4 Denzel Washington hit out at a Cannes photographer in an explosive red carpet clash Credit: Getty According to expert, Jeremy Freeman, the row began after the photographer allegedly tapped the star on his arm - prompting the Oscar winner to turn and deliver a stern warning. According to his analysis for Despite the warning, the photographer - who was seen smiling during the encounter - reportedly replied, 'Not allowed." He's believed to have added, 'Yes, yes, yes,' before reaching out again and asking, 'Can I take a picture?' Advertisement read more on DENZEL Washington Denzel, clearly unimpressed, responded: 'Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it." The Hollywood icon had been walking the carpet alongside his Highest 2 Lowest co-star Despite the brief flare-up, the director's evening wasn't without celebration. During the premiere, he was surprised on stage with an honorary Palme d'Or, presented by long-time collaborator and friend Spike Lee. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Spike said: 'This is my brother, right here,' handing over the award. 'A total surprise for me!' Denzel replied, beaming as he stood beside Spike and Rocky for photos. Denzel Washington's daughter Katia stuns fans as she makes rare red carpet appearance with very tall wife Highest 2 Lowest is a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High And Low. Although it was missing from the official Cannes lineup when first announced, director Spike later revealed the film would appear at the festival, with confirmation hinging on whether Denzel would be able to attend. Advertisement The film will hit cinemas via A24 on August 22, followed by a release on Apple TV+ on September 5. This isn't the first time Denzel has had a tense run-in with members of the public. In October 2024, the Training Day star was seen confronting autograph hunters outside the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where he was attending a benefit honouring In video footage from that night, Denzel appeared visibly annoyed as he addressed one man in the crowd, saying, 'I heard you. You talk about showing love… respecting me.' Advertisement When the man responded, 'We already do,' Denzel snapped back, 'I said I'll see you when I get out - which part of that don't y'all understand? "It's about showing love… or not, or not! We can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!' He then turned and walked into the building. Another memorable encounter came in 2021, when he was seen deep in conversation with a fan on a New York sidewalk. Advertisement The man approached him with a stack of photos to sign, prompting a seemingly intense back-and-forth. Eyewitnesses said Denzel placed both hands on the fan's shoulders and appeared to share a serious message, momentarily ignoring social distancing. While the actor kept his mask on, the fan had lowered his, and one onlooker claimed he told the man to 'say a prayer' - though it's unclear what exactly was said. 4 He was caught in the tense exchange with the snapper Credit: Getty Advertisement 4 His rant has now been revealed by a lip reader Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Denzel had been walking the carpet alongside A$AP Rocky when the incident unfolded Credit: Alamy
