KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — The late iconic martial artist Bruce Lee will be getting his own biopic to be produced under Sony’s 3000 Pictures.
The biopic will be helmed by award-winning director Ang Lee known for his works such as the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as well as 2012’s Life of Pi.
As revealed by Deadline, the role of Bruce Lee will be played by the filmmaker’s own son, Mason Lee known for his role in the 2011 film The Hangover Part II and most recently in the Taiwanese romantic comedy film, Stand By Me.
The 32-year-old actor has been preparing for the martial artist role for the past three years.
“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 revolutionised 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,” Ang Lee said.
Bruce Lee made a name for himself in Hollywood as an actor, director and martial arts expert and popularised martial arts across the globe in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Amongst his iconic films include Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon as well as his role as the sidekick Kato in the 60s TV series, The Green Hornet.
The Jeet Kune Do creator died in 1973 at the age of 32.
The biopic will also see Bruce Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee producing alongside Lawrence Grey and Ben Everard while Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva are overseeing the project on behalf of the studio.
“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,” Gabler said.
