Ang Lee is set to direct the Bruce Lee biopic that is being produced by Sony’s 3000 Pictures. it was also announced that his son, Mason Lee (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, The Hangover Part II), is taking on the role of the iconic martial artist. Screenwriter Dan Futterman (Capote and Foxcatcher) is currently working on a script that has previously been worked on by Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung, and, most recently, Wells Tower.
As a fan of Bruce Lee, I’ve watched all of his films, I’ve seen all of the documentaries, and the biopic that I’m most familiar with is the 1993 film, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, which I’m a fan of. But, after the awesomeness of the IP Man franchise, I’ve been wondering when we would get a new Bruce Lee biopic. It’s time, and I’m happy to learn that Ang Lee is the director that will tell his story.
Lee said in a statement: “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 an iconic performing artist who revolutionized both the martial arts and action cinema. 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.”
Producer Elizabeth Gabler added: “Bruce Lee is a longtime passion project for Ang and a deeply emotional story depicting the triumphs and conflicts of one of the foremost real-life action heroes of our time. All of us at Sony and 3000 Pictures are proud to help Ang and his filmmaking team create what we believe will be an extraordinary theatrical event.”
Lee has been working on this project for a long time already and his son has been training for the role over the past three years. I can’t wait to see what Lee and his creative team end up creating! I’m excited to see what comes of this!
Source: Deadline