Jeffrey Wright and Denzel Washington to star in Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’

Jeffrey Wright and Denzel Washington are on board for Spike Lee’s next joint. “High and Low” will feature renowned actors, and Apple Original Films is co-financing the film with A24.

As previously reported by theGrio, “High and Low” is an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller of the identical name. The 1963 film starring Toshiro Mifune is an adaptation of Ed McBain’s novel “King’s Ransom” and is described as “a powerful thriller, rich in class commentary, following the fate of a wealthy industrialist targeted by kidnappers.”

Behind Deadline’report, it’s “unclear” to what extent Lee’s version will match Kurosawa’s version. Washington’s casting was announced earlier, and many individuals identified that Washington and Lee’s reunion is their first project together since 2006’s “Inside Man.” Washington starred in other Lee movies, including “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X” and “He Got Game.”

Wright joins him on the back of a hugely successful profession, fresh off a slew of nominations and an awards season win for his starring role in “American Fiction.” Details about his specific role in “High and Low” remain under wraps.

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Accepting the Film Independent Spirit Award, Wright said in his acceptance speech: “It was a truly vulnerable experience and probably the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done. The fact that it was so embraced by so many people whose work and lives I admire and respect so much really meant a lot to me.”

The film is being developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures, according to Deadline, from a script by Alan Fox and Lee.

Production is scheduled to begin this month.