THE LEE TRIFECTA: Ang Lee to direct Bruce Lee biopic starring son Mason Lee
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A Lee trio is in formation as Mason Lee is set to star in Bruce Lee's biopic which is being directed by former's father Ang Lee. Sony's 3000 Pictures signed the deal with the father-and-son duo for Hollywood's favorite martial arts legend Bruce Lee. The film is currently in development with Dan Futterman adapting the script from Jean Castelli, Alex Law, and Mabel Cheung and Wells Tower's earlier screenplays. Futterman's previous writing credits include hits like 'Capote' and 'Foxcatcher.'
Ang has won nine Academy awards and two of them were Best Director for 'Brokeback Mountain' and 'Life of Pi,' so safe to assume the project will receive fair justice in terms of portrayal. Speaking of portrayal, Mason has been featured in many movies although he is best known for starring in 'The Hangover Part II.' Mason was seen as Teddy Srisai, Lauren's (Jamie Chung) brother, who got lost and unconscious in the comedy movie.
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In an exclusive interview with Deadline, the 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' director Ang told the outlet how it was an honor to be able to direct the biopic of an "iconic performing artist who revolutionized both the martial arts and action cinema."
He said, "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." He further stated, "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.”
The film, called 'Bruce Lee', has been something the director has reportedly been working on for a while in secret. 'Rumor has it,' his 32-year-old son has also been training for the last three years in Asia to prepare for the role. As we mentioned earlier his credits include roles in 'The Hangover Part II,' 'Limbo,' and 'Dead Pigs.' He also made an appearance in his father’s 2016 drama 'Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.'
Bruce was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that are often credited with paving the way for modern mixed martial arts (MMA). He is considered by critics, media, and other martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century, who bridged the gap between East and West. Unfortunately, Bruce died at the age of 32. Regardless, his daughter Shannon criticized her father’s controversial portrayal in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' calling it “really uncomfortable to sit in the theatre and listen to people laugh” at his appearance.