Three words used to make Asian actors get wobble-knees: “Bruce Lee Biopic.” So much work goes into capturing that role. That’s why until Jason Scott Lee was cast in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, no one dared broached the subject.
Yet, two days after what would have been the Master’s 82nd birthday (November 27), we get news from Deadline that Ang Lee plans to direct his son Mason in what will be the third biopic about the legendary martial arts artist, actor, and philosopher.
Ang Lee is a revered expert on the subject of martial arts movies, having won the 2001 Best Foreign Film Oscar for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. (The masterclass achievement was also honored with three other Oscars–score, cinematography, and art direction–and nominated for six others.)
Either people don’t look like Bruce Lee, act like Bruce Lee, or can’t display advanced mastery of martial arts like Bruce Lee. And don’t even get me started on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. That loathsome and abhorrent scene created more bubblegut for fans than eating at a Mongolian buffet table.
The point is that the role of Bruce Lee requires someone special, one who cares. That’s why Ang Lee didn’t look any further than his son. Almost like what happened with the focal point of his upcoming film.
Bruce Lee Biopic: Like Father, Like Son
If you saw the Jason Scott Lee portrayal of Bruce Lee, you know it was a valiant effort. The movie was based on Linda Lee Cadwell‘s memoir Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew. For students of the master, it’s an excellent read. However, Jason Scott wasn’t the first Lee approached for the lead role.
Originally, Brandon Lee (aka. “The Crow”) was asked to play his father in the film. He had the heart, look, and passion of his father. He knew the kata (forms), discipline, and philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, so naturally, he would have been perfect. One problem: The book was from his mother’s perspective.
Brandon turned down the role because the movie delves into his parents’ love life. “If it had come along later in my career, I might have more seriously considered it,” he said to THR. “It’s strange to play your own father, you know? I couldn’t really wrap my mind around it.”
Back to Mason, Deadline’s story shares he has been training for this role for the past three years. Take that, Daniel Day-Lewis. That’s method acting.
Mason Lee, 32, is most well-known through his role in The Hangover Part II as Teddy. No slight to Todd Phillips, who brought us Joker, but this is Mason’s Dad. And he just happens to be the winner of three Oscars and the director of Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain (for which, Ang Lee should have a fourth Oscar).
Mason doesn’t want to let his father down, so training for three years (and through COVID) is the least he can do. Also, this is a Bruce Lee biopic. Millions of acolytes worldwide will be watching and scrutinizing, and hopefully, praising (present company included).
Working for your father is much different, but it doesn’t seem Mason hesitated to play Bruce Lee with his dad at the helm. So, why is Ang Lee doing this project anyway? Admiration.
“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.”
Ang Lee, Deadline, Nov. 29, 2022
The Disposition of the Dragon
You read that right. Bruce Lee was 5’8″, 135 pounds, and could open a can of whoop-ass at any time. The word on the set of his seminal classic Enter the Dragon was an extra on Han’s island was feeling randy, so he openly challenged Bruce Lee. He shouts, “You aren’t as good as you think you are!” So, the Sensai obliged, smacked that idiot around like he owed Lee money, and then told him to get back to work.
That’s swag! It’s also said to be the origin of Lee’s famous quote:
Adding to the family affair mystique of the Bruce Lee biopic is Shannon Lee, Bruce’s pioneering daughter, who will be slotted as a producer for the Sony 3000 Pictures project. The script has big Hollywood potential as Dan Futterman of Capote and Foxcatcher fame will be writing the screenplay for Ang Lee. (He also played Val in The Birdcage, so you know he’s greatness.)
At the helm of Sony Pictures is Elizabeth Gabler, who assures Bruce Lee’s fans this will be the complete vantage point of the Jeet Kune Do founder. Evidently, Ang Lee has wanted to do this for a while.
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
Elizabeth Gabler, Sony Pictures via statement to Deadline
Incidentally, did you know “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” is a “Cheng Yu” (a Chinese idiom) from Chinese mythology, which refers to hiding your strength from others? Bruce Lee and Ang Lee (no relation, BTW) have that in common. A silent strength is a vocal confidence, one Ang will draw upon with this bold Bruce Lee biopic. After all, it was Bruce Lee who said:
Only the self-sufficient stand alone–most people follow the crowd and imitate.
Bruce Lee
Ang Lee has done that for most of his career. Mason has the perfect role model to portray Bruce Lee, his father. The release date is still TBD.
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