A$AP Rocky, the acclaimed rapper and husband to Rihanna, has been cast in Spike Lee's forthcoming crime thriller, Highest 2 Lowest.
The film is set to be an English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High and Low, which was itself based on Ed McBain's novel King's Ransom. In this new adaptation, Rocky portrays a character intriguingly named Yung Felon, an aspiring rapper who will stop at nothing to be noticed by Washington’s music mogul.
A$AP Rocky's involvement has set off a wave of anticipation. Leaked paparazzi shots from the set capture him in character—handcuffed, flanked by police—hinting at a role that’s far from incidental.
A$AP Rocky Films Scenes as
‘Yung Felon’ for Spike Lee Movie At The Bronx Courthouse
He as been in nyc lately filming pic.twitter.com/tpa3TSDcPB— (@ririnavybih) May 6, 2024
Now, as the film gears up for release, Rocky has spoken more about exactly what to expect, telling Variety he relied on method acting to get into character. " When you’re not on the set, or when you clock out, you’re still embodying that character. Around the beginning of shooting, my family was still in California, so I got to really be this guy and go home [as him]. When my family finally came to New York in late May, we were almost wrapped, and I had to be in daddy mode. I had to shift back and forth."
Keep reading for everything we know about Highest 2 Lowest.
Who is in the cast?
Alongside Rocky, the ensemble cast boasts several notable names. Denzel Washington, a frequent collaborator with Lee, will be taking up the leading role in Highest 2 Lowest, marking Lee and Washington's fifth project together.
Joining them is Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction, Westworld) and, surprisingly, rising rap sensation Ice Spice will be making her acting debut in the film.
What is the plot?
Highest 2 Lowest is set to delve into the moral quandaries of a wealthy executive who faces extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom. The narrative explores themes of class disparity and ethical dilemmas, promising a gripping and thought-provoking experience.
When is it being released?
The film is set to debut outside of the official competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It will be released by A24 in select theatres on August 22, before being released for streaming on Apple TV+ two weeks later.
What else has A$AP Rocky acted in?
A$AP Rocky’s film career continues to evolve, blending his music-world charisma with on-screen magnetism. He made his acting debut in Dope (2015), a Sundance favourite that spotlighted his natural ease in front of the camera. This was followed by a role in Monster (2018), where he delved into the complexities of the legal system, and Stockholm Syndrome (2021), a self-reflective documentary capturing his career's pivotal moments.
