How High 2
How High 2 is a 2019 American stoner comedy television film directed by Bruce Leddy, which premiered on MTV on April 20, 2019, and serving as a sequel to the 2001 cult classic How High.[1] Starring Lil Yachty as Roger and D.C. Young Fly as Calvin, the movie follows two unemployed friends who discover a hidden "weed bible" containing a recipe for the ultimate strain of marijuana, which they use as seed money to launch an on-demand munchies delivery service in Atlanta.[2] However, their prized stash is stolen, sparking a hash-fueled adventure across the city to recover it while encountering various comedic obstacles.[3] The film features supporting performances from Mike Epps, Alyssa Goss, and others, and was released on home video and streaming platforms like Netflix without the involvement of original stars Method Man and Redman.[1] Clocking in at 88 minutes, How High 2 emphasizes themes of entrepreneurship, friendship, and cannabis culture, though it received mixed-to-negative reviews for its humor and execution, earning a 3.3/10 rating on IMDb from over 1,500 users and a 29% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 36 critic reviews.[1][2] Despite its critical reception, the movie appeals to fans of the stoner comedy genre and has been noted for its Atlanta setting, which adds a local flavor to the protagonists' chaotic quest.[4]Background
Original film
How High is a 2001 American stoner comedy film that centers on two lifelong friends and marijuana enthusiasts, Silas P. Silas (Method Man) and Jamal King (Redman), who inadvertently create a potent strain of cannabis by mixing it with the ashes of Silas's deceased high school buddy, Ivory. This "magical" marijuana grants them superhuman intelligence, allowing them to excel on their college entrance exams and secure spots at Harvard University. Once enrolled, the duo faces academic pressures, rival students, and campus politics while attempting to uphold their carefree, weed-fueled lifestyle, leading to a series of comedic misadventures that culminate in a revelation at an alumni party, allowing them to remain at Harvard.[5][6] The film was directed by Jesse Dylan in his feature directorial debut and written by Dustin Lee Abraham, with key cast members including Method Man and Redman in the lead roles, Mike Epps as the bumbling sidekick Baby Powder, Obba Babatundé as the stern Dean Carl Cain, and supporting performances by Anna Maria Horsford, Fred Willard, and Jeffrey Jones. Produced by Jersey Films and Native Pictures, it marked a significant on-screen collaboration for the rap duo, leveraging their chemistry from prior music videos and albums.[7][8][9] Distributed theatrically by Universal Pictures on December 21, 2001, How High was made on an estimated budget of $20 million and grossed $31.2 million worldwide, with $31.1 million from the domestic box office alone, reflecting solid commercial performance for an R-rated comedy during the holiday season. The soundtrack, released on December 11, 2001, by Def Jam Recordings, featured hip-hop tracks such as "How High" by Method Man & Redman, "Cisco Kid" by Redman and Method Man featuring Cypress Hill, and contributions from DMX, Ludacris, and Limp Bizkit, peaking at number 38 on the Billboard 200 and enhancing the film's ties to rap culture.[10][11][12][13] In hip-hop circles, How High achieved cult status as a landmark stoner comedy, praised for its irreverent humor, authentic portrayal of cannabis culture, and integration of East Coast rap aesthetics into a mainstream narrative, influencing subsequent films in the genre by showcasing Black leads in an Ivy League satire.[14][15]Sequel development
Following the success of the 2001 film How High, which has attained cult status among stoner comedy enthusiasts, efforts to develop a sequel began in the late 2000s featuring original stars Method Man and Redman.[16] The project stalled due to Universal Pictures' unwillingness to provide funding, leading to its placement on indefinite hold.[16] Further complications arose from business disputes, as Method Man and Redman had been collaborating on their own version of the sequel with Universal prior to MTV's independent announcement of the project.[17] The sequel was revived in June 2018 when MTV partnered with Universal 1440 Entertainment to greenlight How High 2 as a direct-to-television movie.[18] Bruce Leddy was hired to direct, bringing his experience from comedy projects like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.[1] The screenplay was penned by Shawn Ries, Neel Shah, Artie Johann, and Alex Blagg, updating the narrative for modern audiences.[19][20] Due to the original leads' unavailability and lack of involvement, the production recast the protagonists with emerging hip-hop talents Lil Yachty and D.C. Young Fly, shifting the focus to a new generation of characters.[21] Comedian Mike Epps was brought back to reprise his role as Baby Powder from the first film, providing continuity amid the changes.[22] The script relocated the story to Atlanta and centered on a "potrepreneur" theme, following two unemployed friends who discover a hidden "weed bible" and use it to launch an on-demand munchies delivery service in Atlanta during a weed shortage.[14] This contemporary approach aimed to refresh the stoner comedy genre by incorporating elements of hip-hop culture and entrepreneurship.[14] In 2021, a third installment, How High 3, was announced with Method Man and Redman reprising their roles, produced by Method Man's company Six AM and acquired by Universal 1440.[23]Content
Plot
Roger (Lil Yachty) and Calvin (DC Young Fly), two unemployed stoners in Atlanta, embark on a new venture by starting a cannabis delivery business after losing their jobs.[14] While smoking in a basement, the duo discovers a hidden "Weed Bible," an ancient guide that enables them to grow a magical strain of marijuana capable of temporarily boosting intelligence.[24] Armed with this enhanced smarts, they transform their idea into a successful on-demand munchies delivery service targeted at fellow cannabis enthusiasts.[2] The central conflict arises when their prized stash and the Weed Bible are stolen, propelling Roger and Calvin into a frantic pursuit through Atlanta's underbelly. Their quest pits them against a colorful array of adversaries, including business rivals, the Russian mob, rowdy college students, and executives from a shady pharmaceutical corporation.[25] Aided by their resourceful friend Alicia, the protagonists' odyssey underscores enduring themes of unbreakable friendship, the hustle of urban entrepreneurship, and the evolving role of cannabis culture in contemporary society. For continuity with the original film, Mike Epps briefly reprises his role as the eccentric Baby Powder.[22]Cast
The cast of How High 2 centers on rising hip-hop talents and comedic veterans, blending fresh faces with franchise connections to refresh the stoner comedy genre. Lil Yachty leads as Roger Silas, portraying an innovative stoner entrepreneur, while D.C. Young Fly co-stars as Calvin, his cousin and business partner in their Atlanta-based ventures.[14] The film's Atlanta setting draws on local hip-hop culture to shape its character ensemble.[14] Mike Epps reprises his role as Baby Powder, the comic relief mentor from the 2001 original, anchoring the sequel's ties to its predecessor.[22] Supporting players include Alyssa Goss as Alicia, DeRay Davis as Big Bang, and Mary Lynn Rajskub as Ana Cheever, a pharmaceutical executive. Al Shearer returns in a reprisal appearance as I Got Money, echoing his eccentric role from the first film. T.J. Thyne appears as a loan officer.[19][26] The production features prominent hip-hop cameos to amplify its cultural vibe, including Lil Baby and Blac Youngsta as themselves, alongside Real Housewives of Atlanta personalities NeNe Leakes as Mrs. Silas, Cynthia Bailey as herself, and Marlo Hampton as herself. Additional brief appearances include Justine Skye as Steffi, YFN Lucci as himself, and Anya Monzikova as Irena Ivanov.[14][27] Casting emphasized hip-hop authenticity and generational appeal, with Lil Yachty and D.C. Young Fly selected for their Atlanta roots and rising stardom in music and comedy to connect with younger viewers while honoring the original's legacy. Epps' involvement was prioritized to maintain narrative continuity and fan familiarity.[14][22]Main and Supporting Cast
| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lil Yachty | Roger Silas | Lead; rising rapper for youthful hip-hop appeal[14] |
| D.C. Young Fly | Calvin | Lead; comedian/actor for modern stoner dynamic[14] |
| Mike Epps | Baby Powder | Reprise from original; comic mentor[22] |
| Alyssa Goss | Alicia | Supporting romantic interest[1] |
| DeRay Davis | Big Bang | Supporting comic role[1] |
| Mary Lynn Rajskub | Ana Cheever | Pharmaceutical executive[19] |
| Al Shearer | I Got Money | Reprise; eccentric character[26] |
| T.J. Thyne | Loan Officer | Supporting authority figure[19] |
| NeNe Leakes | Mrs. Silas | Hip-hop/reality TV cameo[27] |
| Lil Baby | Himself | Hip-hop cameo[14] |
| Blac Youngsta | Himself | Hip-hop cameo[14] |