Oscar-winning director Spike Lee has announced his next project, which will star Denzel Washington. The announcement was made at the Red Sea Film Festival, where Lee is serving as the head of the competition jury.
Lee revealed that the film will draw inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s iconic crime thriller High and Low. “Kurosawa has been a key influence on my career,” Lee said. “His films have deeply inspired me, and I’ve consistently drawn from his work since the beginning.”
Lee also highlighted Kurosawa’s Rashomon as a global cinematic milestone. “The structure of Rashomon inspired me to create She’s Gotta Have It, exploring themes of conflicting perspectives. Kurosawa’s legacy has guided my journey in filmmaking.”
This marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington, who first worked together on Inside Man 18 years ago. Speaking about their partnership, Lee said, “Our duo is dynamic.”
Amid rumors of Washington’s retirement, Lee humorously referenced Kurosawa’s late career, saying, “Kurosawa retired at 81. By that measure, my own break isn’t too far away (laughs).”
