Coming soon: Bruce Lee's daughter kick-starts plans for Hong Kong legend's official biopic
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 28 February, 2015, 1:21pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 28 February, 2015, 2:50pm
Associated Press in Los Angeles
Bruce Lee's incredible martial arts moves are what most of his fans remember. His daughter Shannon Lee says his official biopic will explore other aspects of his life, such as his art and philosophies. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Legendary Hong Kong martial arts star Bruce Lee is getting the official biopic treatment, daughter Shannon Lee has announced.
In the statement, Shannon Lee said the film will explore her father’s writings, art and philosophies in addition to his martial arts stardom.
Neither a star nor a director has been set for the film.
Bruce Lee Entertainment will produce the project in collaboration with Lawrence Grey and Janet Yang, who produced Hope Springs and The Joy Luck Club respectively.
A previous Bruce Lee biopic, the 1993 movie Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, was based on his widow Linda Lee Cadwell’s book.
Despite his untimely death in 1973 at age 32, Bruce Lee helped to create and popularise a genre that still endures and influences today with roles in films including Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, and Enter the Dragon.
Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, is the president of the Bruce Lee Foundation and looks after his legacy. Photo: AP
Shannon Lee, who was four years old when her father died of brain complications, told South China Morning Post in an interview last December: "I’ve dedicated a lot of my life to running the Bruce Lee businesses and continuing his legacy.
"Some people say I’m doing that to make money or to emulate him. That couldn’t be further from the truth; I do it because I’m inspired by his message."
Shannon Lee said she had turned down film projects and licences with companies "that made no sense or had no authenticity", including an offer to design a Bruce Lee colouring book for children that turned out to be "violent and aggressive".
She has approved the use of her father’s image on a brand of healthy instant drinks, explaining that her health-conscious father "drank a lot of tea and he put supplements in his tea".
She also said the Lee family laboured over an advertising deal with Johnnie Walker whisky in 2013 as the kung fu star did not drink. "But he also didn’t shame people who did," Shannon Lee told the Post.
With additional reporting by Staff Reporter
