Shannon Lee’s ‘Definitive Bruce Lee Biopic’ Gets A Director, Production Date And More
Say what you will about the most recent pesudo-adaptatation of late legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee’s life as depicted in George Nolfi’s Birth Of The Dragon. That is still on deck for release later this year following its acquisition by BH Tilt and WWE Studios back in February, but there’s no love lost there with actress and entrepreuneur Shannon Lee having stood staunchly against the project in wake of its TIFF premiere in late 2016.
As for Lee, the past few years have revealed news of her own research and inquiry into her father’s past for what has been reportedly persued as the “definitive” Bruce Lee biopic. That development now comes with an update with word on the new movie, Little Dragon, inspired by the on-screen nickname the late martial arts star took on among several during his lifetime. Shannon Lee, whose Bruce Lee Family Company shingle, Bruce Lee Entertainment, is heading the production with Los Angeles-based Convergence Entertainment. Shekhar Kapur who helmed the Oscar-nominated Elizabeth (1998) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) has been tapped to direct the film in addition to having co-written the film’s screenplay with Lee.
per Variety:
The story is a contemporary dramatization of the 1950s Hong Kong social and political forces that shaped Bruce Lee into both the most famous martial arts star of all time and a significant modern day philosopher. Themes include family disappointment, young love, true friendship, betrayal, racism, deep poverty and an inner fire that threatened to unravel his destiny.
Pre-production is now underway with cameras rolling in Asia slated for July. US casting is headed by Mary Vernieu.
“This film is a deeply personal exploration of Bruce before his inner power and discipline forged him into the ground-breaking icon that continues to this day to inspire people throughout the world,” said Tim Kwok of Convergence.
“It is important that audiences today can relate their own lives to the journey of Bruce Lee, who manages to tap into his inner wisdom and harness his true destiny before it was too late,” said Kapur.
“I always thought that a film about how my father’s life was shaped in his early years in Hong Kong would be a worthwhile story to share so we could better understand him as a human being and a warrior,” said Lee. “I’m really excited that Shekhar will breathe life into the first film from Bruce Lee Entertainment.”
Little Dragon is a U.S./Hong Kong/China co-production with financing from Dadi Media Group, Beijing Golden World Pictures, Shanghai Longzhilin Cultural Investment Partnership and Kirin Media.