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News18
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Spike Lee Says A$AP Rocky Goes ‘Toe-To-Toe' With Denzel Washington In New Film
Last Updated: A$AP Rocky stars as an aspiring rapper in the neo-noir film Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee. A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, is returning to the big screens with the neo-noir thriller, Highest 2 Lowest. And the film's director Spike Lee is all praises for the 36-year-old rapper's impressive acting skills. During his appearance on the July 31 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the 68-year-old filmmaker shared that Rocky goes 'toe-to-toe" with Denzel Washington in the upcoming film. The legendary Hollywood actor is best known for his roles in films like Cry Freedom, Malcolm X, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, American Gangster, Unstoppable and Gladiator II. 'Don't sleep on A$AP," Lee said during the conversation, highlighting how the rapper held his own while starring in the film when others feel pressured while working with someone as great as Washington. 'I've done five films with Denzel, and a lot of times when he's in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He's one of the greatest living actors today, but A$AP wasn't having that," he said, adding, 'Toe-to-toe, I mean, they were going at it." Spike Lee Reveals Why He Chose A$AP Rocky To Play Denzel Washington's Son In the same conversation, the director of Highest 2 Lowest also discussed how he always thought that A$AP could play the role of the son of the 70-year-old actor. The Oscar-winning director explained, 'What's interesting is, even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel's son. There's a big resemblance. So when you see it on the screen, it adds an element of father and son." Highest 2 Lowest: Cast And Plot The neo-noir crime thriller is an English reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low. The latter, in turn, is loosely based on the 1959 novel by Ed McBain, titled King's Ransom. Set in New York City, the film follows the life of an aspiring rapper, Yung Felony, played by A$AP Rocky, who is the son of Denzel Washington's character, David King. He runs a successful record label, called the Stackin Hits, and is the heir of the legendary record producer and composer Quincy Jones. Besides the two leads, the film features Ice Spice in her debut role, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Potts, Dean Winters, Jensen McRae and John Douglas Thompson, among others. Highest 2 Lowest is all set to be released theatrically on August 22, and after a limited run on the big screens, the neo-noir thriller will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ from September 5 onwards. view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 16:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Amitabh Bachchan was handed a CD of a Hollywood movie, instead of script of 'Ek Ajnabee', recalls producer Bunty Walia
After going through a difficult time in the 1990s, Amitabh Bachchan was successfully making a comeback in Bollywood in the early 2000s. During this time, filmmakers in India had no concerns about remaking Hollywood films, even without buying any rights, as the laws regarding these matters weren't strictly in place at the time. Following the trend, Big B was also given a CD of Hollywood movie—but, surprisingly, without a script. The actor who is considered the best actor in the Indian film industry , was obviously shocked when he was handed the CD and asked if he would want to do the Indian version of the film. Inspired by ' Man on Fire ' Producer Bunty Walia discussed the filming of Ek Ajnabee, which was directed by Apoorva Lakhia and starred Arjun Rampal , on Friday Talkies' YouTube channel. Lakhia stated that he was inspired to make the film after seeing the Denzel Washington film Man on Fire. The two believed that Amitabh would be the most suitable candidate for the role if they decided to remake it. Lakhia had previously made his Bollywood debut in Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, starring Abhishek Bachchan. Pitch without a script According to Bunty, 'I talked to Amitabh sir's secretary, Sheetal ji, and we fixed up a meeting with him. When I met with him, he asked me for the script, and I told him that we didn't have any script, and I handed him the CD of Man on Fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo I told him we were going to 'Indianise' it and then make a film.' Bachchan asked, "What do I do with it?" because he didn't understand what they were attempting to do. Walia continued. Their degree of readiness certainly did not impress his secretary. 'I remember Sheetal ji looking at me like I was a fool. We didn't have a script or schedule for the film, and we were trying to sign him for the film. He gave us dates for many months later and told us straight that now it was our job to convince Amitabh sir to do the film.' Despite this, Amitabh Bachchan finally agreed to play the lead in Ek Ajnabee, which came out in 2005 and won praise for his powerful performance.
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Gave Amitabh Bachchan a Hollywood film's CD instead of a script when I went to sign him, recalls producer: ‘He asked what do I do with it?'
In the early 2000s, Amitabh Bachchan was successfully mounting a comeback in Bollywood after enduring a tough period in the 1990s. During this time, filmmakers in India had no qualms about remaking Hollywood films, even without buying any rights as the laws regarding these matters weren't strictly in place at the time. Keeping up with the trend, Big B was also offered the remake of a Hollywood film, but interestingly, without a script. The actor, who is often regarded as the greatest actor in the Indian film industry, was directly handed the CD of a Hollywood film and was told that they will Indianise it if he came on board, which, obviously, left the actor shell shocked. While appearing on Friday Talkies' YouTube channel, producer Bunty Walia spoke about the making of Ek Ajnabee, which was directed by Apoorva Lakhia, and also starred Arjun Rampal, and said that Lakhia decided to make this film after watching Denzel Washington-starrer Man on Fire. The duo thought that if they wanted to remake it, Amitabh would be the best man for the job. Right before this, Lakhia had made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost. Bunty recalled, 'I talked to Amitabh sir's secretary, Sheetal ji, and we fixed up a meeting with him. When I met with him, he asked me for the script, and I told him that we didn't have any script, and I handed him the CD of Man on Fire. I told him we were going to 'Indianise' it and then make a film.' Walia added that Amitabh was confused with what they were trying to do and asked him, 'What do I do with it?' His secretary was definitely not impressed by their level of readiness. 'I remember Sheetal ji looking at me like I was a fool. We didn't have a script or schedule for the film, and we were trying to sign him for the film. He gave us dates for many months later and told us straight that now it was our job to convince Amitabh sir to do the film.' ALSO READ: Bollywood's biggest hairstylist died penniless, family was left with 'nothing to eat' despite counting Bachchans, Kapoors as friends After borrowing money from his father and talking to the actor, Walia was able to sign him for the film, but even though the veteran actor had said yes to the project, he still had his reservations about playing an action hero. Walia talked about shooting in Bangkok and shared how Amitabh was curious to know why they signed him. 'We had some time on our hands, and Amitabh sir asked me, 'Why did you guys sign me? I am an old man.' I smirked and said, 'If you think you are old, then so many people from the industry should just retire'.' Amitabh's time shooting Ek Ajnabee was certainly eventful, as previously shared by Apoorva Lakhia during his appearance on Friday Talkies. The director shared that while roaming around Bangkok after shooting one day, Big B ended up going to a strip club called Exotic p****. 'I told him, 'Sir, this is Patpong; there are live shows here. If I take you, there will be riots. He said, 'No, we will go.' So, I said, Let's go.' Big B would make new plans every day after filming was over, and according to Lakhia, he would reach the set right on time, even if he had been clubbing the night before. Apart from Amitabh, the cast of the film also included Arjun Rampal, Rucha Vaidya, Perizad Zorabian, and Akhilendra Mishra. The movie it took inspiration from, Man on Fire, was directed by Tony Scott.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Leah Remini Supported Jennifer Lopez After Ben Affleck Divorce
Leah Remini spoke about her friendship with Jennifer Lopez in an interview with Us Weekly. "Friendships ebb and flow. That doesn't mean we're at odds," the King of Queens star said. Remini and Lopez met in 2004 but reportedly had a falling out in Remini made rare comments about her friendship with Jennifer Lopez in a new interview. Speaking to Us Weekly, she revealed that she briefly lost contact with the singer, but "that doesn't mean the love is lost." Remini reconnected with Lopez following her split from Ben Affleck earlier this year. 'Right after the divorce, we'd text each other loving messages of support," the King of Queens star shared. "Sometimes you don't talk to people every day like you used to," Remini explained of her evolving relationship with Lopez. "That doesn't mean the love is lost. Friendships ebb and flow. That doesn't mean we're at odds.' Remini and Lopez first met in 2004 at the premiere of Marc Anthony's film Man on Fire. Lopez was engaged to Anthony at the time. The pop star and Remini remained close for nearly two decades before a reported rift in their friendship ahead of Lopez's wedding to Affleck in 2022. According to Page Six, Remini told Lopez her concerns about Affleck. 'He is selfish and is not fully committed as a partner,' an insider told the outlet. As a result, ' was so mad, she cut off all ties,' and Remini wasn't invited to her wedding, the source added. Page Six reported that Remini and Lopez reconciled in June 2024. 'They were friends for years,' a source shared. 'She wants to reach out to her, but she can't just call up and say, 'I told you so.'' The publication also confirmed that Remini ended up making contact with Lopez. Read the original article on InStyle
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Denzel Washington Snaps at Photographer at 2025 Cannes Film Festival: Here's All About Their Heated Argument
Denzel Washington happens to be one of the most prominent names in the Hollywood film industry. And while a lot of big names are known to attend the highly acclaimed film festival, Cannes, the actor from Man on Fire was seen to be involved in a heated argument, that too with a photographer. As per reports, Denzel Washington had had enough of a pushy photographer on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. This was during Spike Lee's outing, Highest 2 Lowest. In case you might not know, Denzel Washington happens to lead the movie. Interestingly, the outing is a fifth feature that the Remember the Titans actor has done with Spike Lee. Also, this was the first time Denzel Washington had attended the Cannes Film Festival since 1993's Much Ado About Nothing. A video posted by the New York Post showed the actor from The Magnificent Seven pointing a finger at the photographer while also shouting 'stop' at him. Further in the footage, the photographer is seen trying to laugh off the confrontation when Denzel Washington approaches him. The photographer can be even seen putting his hand around the actor's arm, as Washington was seen pulling his arm away and again screaming to stop. It is crucial to know that the photographers at the Cannes Film Festival are known to be shouty as they wish to grab the attention of stars present at the highly acclaimed event. Meanwhile, the actor was awarded a surprise Honorary Palme d'Or by Lee before the screening of Highest 2 Lowest, during its premiere. Not only that, but the director of Cannes, Thierry Fremaux, also introduced a montage of Washington's films that included Malcolm X, as well as Mo' Better Blues, which happens to be some other works by Lee.
