Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee directs a biopic about the late martial arts legend Bruce Lee. And maybe it will be a family matter.
According to EW, the director’s son, Mason Lee, will play the lead character in Bruce Lee.
Sony’s 3000 Pictures published this project. Ang Lee, Ben Everard, Lawrence Gray, Brian Bell and Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee are also producers. Dan Chuckman is also reportedly working on drafting the script.
Bruce Lee died in 1973 at the age of 32. Many loved the international actor who worked in popularizing martial arts in the film industry. His films, such as Fist of Fury, Enter the Dragon, The War of the Dragon, and The Big Boss, are legends.
“Accepted as neither fully American nor fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge between East and West who introduced Chinese Kung Fu to the world, a scientist of combat and iconic performing artist who revolutionized both the martial arts and action cinema,” Ang Lee said.
The filmmaker previously directed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a martial arts epic.
He added: “I feel compelled to tell the story of this brilliant, unique human being who yearned for belonging, possessed tremendous power in a 135-pound-frame, and who, through tireless hard work, made impossible dreams into reality.”
Read also: Christmas Original ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ Gave Joe Pesci a Moment to Recount
Portrayal Gone Wrong
Most recently, Mike Moh played Bruce Lee in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. However, Shannon Lee criticized the film.
The film chronicles Bruce challenging stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in a battle.
Shannon said the depiction of his father “comes across as an arrogant a-hole who was full of hot air.” Furthermore, she referred to the portrayal as disrespectful, mocking the legacy of Bruce Lee.
“I understand they want to make the Brad Putt character this super badass who could beat up Bruce Lee,” she stated. “But they didn’t need to treat him in the way that white Hollywood did when he was alive.”
Tarantino came to his portrayal’s defense.
He said: “Bruce Lee was kind of an arrogant guy.”
During an interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast, he said, “I can understand his daughter having a problem with it. It’s her f—king father. Everybody else: go suck a d—.”
Deadline initially reported the news on the biopic.
Story of Bruce Lee
The martial arts star founded a hybrid martial arts philosophy called Jeet Kune Do. It draws from various combat disciplines that are sometimes attributed to breaking through modern mixed martial arts (MMA).
Critics and other martial artists considered Lee the all-time most influential martial artist, as well as a pop culture legend of the 20th century. Additionally, he connected the gaps between East and West.
Furthermore, the industry sees Lee as the person who promoted Hong Kong action cinema. He also played a role in changing the way Asians were presented in American movies.
His early martial arts encounters included Wing Chun (trained by Yip Man), tai chi, boxing, and street fighting.
Photo: EW
