Bruce Lee is coming back to cinemas, this time in a biopic directed by Ang Lee. According to Variety, Ang has been tapped to direct Sony’s adaptation of the late martial arts expert and movie star’s life as part of the company’s 3000 Pictures division. Ang Lee’s son will star as the man himself. While talking to Variety, Ang Lee felt that he had to be the one to make this film saying, “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.”
Ang’s son, Mason Lee, does not look much like Bruce, but that will make little difference if The Hangover Part II actor can pull off the mannerisms and voice of the late Enter the Dragon star. However, those are some big shoes to fill. Lee’s legacy has lived on since his untimely death in 1973. He became an icon and introduced martial arts to millions of Americans when the US was coming to terms with racial equality. Although the Chinese American’s time on this earth was short-lived, his presence is still felt today in media, fashion, and pop culture.
Recently, HBO produced a show called Warrior, based on a script treatment by Bruce Lee, but it never saw the light of day.
The last Bruce Lee bio I remember watching was Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, directed by Rob Cohen. It starred Jason Scott Lee as the legend and was mostly good. However, the film did fail to balance reality with hero worship, with the latter taking precedence over Lee’s actual life and struggles. Seeing that Ang Lee is directing this one, it’s hard to say if style will balance with substance.
What worries me the most about the biography picture is that it is written by Dan Futterman, who adapted the events leading up to the murder at Foxcatcher Farm. Foxcatcher is a damn good film. However, the movie feels like a missed opportunity if you’re familiar with the history of John du Pont and his family. The fictional drama was more of a focus than the crucial dynamics at play during the events that led to the murder of Dave Schultz. Do we need to fictionalize parts of Bruce Lee’s life to have an entertaining film?
Be like water, my friends.
[Source: Variety] [Source: BruceLee.com]ClownfishTV.com strives to be an apolitical, balanced and based pop culture news outlet. However, our contributors are entitled to their individual opinions. Author opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of our video hosts, other site contributors, site editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. This website contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. We disclaim products or services we have received for review purposes, as well as sponsored posts.
