End of an era or as it seems. Spike Lee is hinting that his decades-long creative partnership with Denzel Washington may have reached its final act.
During a press conference at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival for their latest film Highest 2 Lowest, Lee spoke candidly about the legacy he’s built alongside the Oscar-winning actor, and the likelihood that this latest work could be their last collaboration.
“It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love, so it’s a blessing, again. I think this is it — five,” Lee said, reflecting on their five-film journey together.
Although Washington was notably absent from the Cannes premiere—he’s currently in New York City starring in Othello on Broadway—his presence was still deeply felt. Lee shared that the actor has increasingly considered stepping away from the spotlight.
“He’s been talking about retirement, even though he just did another deal,” Lee revealed. “The five films together, you know, they stand up. Malcolm X, I mean, what he did with that film, it’s amazing.”
Let’s look at how the dynamic duo’s collaborations—spanning cinematic landmarks like Malcolm X, Mo’ Better Blues, He Got Game, Inside Man, and now Highest 2 Lowest—have shaped their careers and the larger landscape of Black cinema.
In a moment of poetic recognition, Lee was honored with the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or at the premiere, cementing his influence and the cultural significance of the work he and Washington have shared across decades.