Spike Lee Casts A$AP Rocky After Memes Compare Him to Denzel Washington

CANNES, France — Spike Lee announced he cast rapper A$AP Rocky in his upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest” after seeing memes comparing the artist to his co-star Denzel Washington. Speaking on Carmelo Anthony‘s podcast “7PM in Brooklyn,” Lee revealed that the decision was influenced by social media observations made several years ago.

“What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram four or five years ago and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Lee explained. The Oscar-winning director noted that he utilized these comparisons for the film’s storyline.

A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, will play a significant role opposite Washington, marking his resurgence in the film industry. This casting comes after Rocky’s previous performances, notably in the 2015 coming-of-age film “Dope” and A24‘s comedy-drama “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” which was released earlier this year.

Lee praised A$AP’s talent, stating, “A$AP, man, he fire. I mean, there’s some scenes where him and D head to head — he ain’t backing up. Like, ‘I’m here too.’ So very, very happy with the way the film turned out and looking forward to sharing it with the world.”

The film is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” portraying Washington as a powerful music mogul caught in a life-or-death ransom scenario. Lee previously confirmed that A$AP plays “Yung Felon” in the film alongside a notable cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Ice Spice.

While plot details remain under wraps, Lee has shared that the film will showcase Washington’s character navigating the complexities of his high-stakes world. The collaboration between Lee and Washington has a rich history, with their past films including “Malcolm X” and “Mo’ Better Blues.”

Lee expressed mutual respect for Washington, saying, “Denzel’s an actor — if I see something, I’m going to go up to him… once we’re on set, we’re going. That’s the important part.” He also noted that they prioritize rehearsal to ensure they are aligned before filming begins.

The film “Highest 2 Lowest” is produced in partnership with Apple Originals and A24, aiming for a theatrical release followed by streaming on Apple TV+. Lee and screenwriter Alan Fox have partnered to create a project that explores the depths of its characters while celebrating their performances.

As anticipation builds for its Cannes premiere, both Lee and A$AP are eager to see how audiences react to their collaborative efforts.