Director Ang Lee Shares Insight on His BRUCE LEE Biopic Film

Last year we learned that Ang Lee was going to direct a 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), would be taking on the role of the iconic martial artist. Ang recently offered an update on the project along with some new insight, saying:

“It took me years to think of a way to crack it, to connect to it. Character-wise, I couldn’t be more different from Bruce Lee but there are aspects I relate to. He had identity issues; he was aways yearning to belong, to find his place. That really speaks to me.”

The director went on to address his son playing Lee, saying: “Neither of us are getting any younger. So I hope I get to make this movie soon.” 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.”

The current version of the script for the film project was written by Dan Futterman (Capote and Foxcatcher). Mason Lee has also been training for the role over the past several years. It would be pretty awesome to see if he can effectively match Bruce Lee’s incredible martial arts skills.

I’m a huge fan of Bruce Lee’s work, and I loved the original biopic when it was first released back in 1993, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. I’m really curious and excited to see how Ang Lee handles Bruce’s story.

Source: Variety