Spike Lee on Cannes 2025: Why A$AP Rocky Was the Perfect Choice

Cannes 2025: Spike Lee Explains A$AP Rocky's Casting in 'Highest 2 Lowest' The Cannes Film Festival 2025 provided a platform for an exclusive interview with renowned director Spike Lee. During a conversation with Brut, Lee shed light on the casting process for his latest film, "Highest 2 Lowest." Specifically, he addressed his decision to cast rapper A$AP Rocky. "He has a presence," Lee explained, using the French word "présence" to emphasize the actor's commanding screen presence. He further elaborated, stating that for this specific role, he "needed someone strong enough to stand face-to-face with the hurricane, the tornado." This highlights the director's search for an actor who could match the intensity of Denzel Washington's character in the film. Lee also pointed out A$AP Rocky's Harlem roots, emphasizing the symbolic significance of his casting: "A$AP Rocky was born in Harlem. It's like a heavyweight champion fight." This underscores the director's intention to create a dynamic and powerful on-screen pairing. The interview offers a fascinating look into the creative process behind film casting, illustrating how a director's vision extends beyond mere acting ability to encompass symbolic representation and on-screen chemistry.