Spike Lee Cast A$AP Rocky In New Movie After Seeing a Meme: “He Looked Like Denzel’s Son”
In a Hollywood landscape increasingly influenced by social media, Spike Lee’s casting choices are proving just how unconventional — and effective — inspiration can be.
Ahead of the Cannes premiere of his new A24 film “Highest 2 Lowest”, Lee revealed that a meme comparing A$AP Rocky to Denzel Washington sparked the idea to cast the rapper.
“What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram four or five years ago and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Lee said during a recent appearance on 7PM in Brooklyn. “I seen those memes and then in the film we used that.”
Rocky stars alongside Washington and Ice Spice in “Highest 2 Lowest”, a modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low”. He plays Yung Felon, a central character caught in a high-stakes kidnapping plot revolving around a powerful music mogul — played by Washington.
While Rocky’s acting résumé includes “Dope” and A24’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”, this marks his biggest role to date.
Spike Lee on A$AP Rocky In New Film
“A$AP, man, he fire,” Lee said. “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.”
This film also marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington — a creative duo known for iconic work in films like “Malcolm X” and “Inside Man”. Their reunion, paired with the fresh energy from newcomers like Rocky and Ice Spice, has already created serious buzz ahead of Cannes.
Not everyone is convinced, though. Social media reactions to Rocky’s casting have been mixed, with some fans questioning whether a rapper can hold his own opposite Washington. But Lee, never one to play it safe, seems confident in his choice — and ready to let the performance speak for itself.
As Hollywood continues to evolve, Lee’s decision reflects a bigger trend: tapping into the internet’s cultural pulse, breaking casting norms, and giving new talent a chance to shine. And sometimes, all it takes is a meme to make movie magic happen. “Highest 2 Lowest” premieres next month at Cannes.
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