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Amy Nip

Four decades after his death, everyone still wants a piece of Bruce Lee.
Two rival biopics of the Hong Kong kung-fu legend are in development in Hollywood, after Lee's daughter announced the family was developing a definitive big-screen version of his life.
The announcement came after US producer Bill Block said he would go ahead with his project, Birth of the Dragon.
Shannon Lee announced on Friday that her company, Bruce Lee Entertainment, would cooperate with two other Hollywood producers, Lawrence Grey and Janet Yang.
No star or director has been named for the film.

Shannon said the film would explore her father's writings, art and philosophy in addition to his martial-arts stardom.
"There have been projects out there involving my father, but they've lacked a complete understanding of his philosophies and artistry," she said. "They haven't captured the essence of his beliefs in martial arts or storytelling. The only way to get audiences to understand the depth and uniqueness of my father is to generate our own material."
Block, whose previous credits include District 9 and Fury, will base his film on a magazine article and has lined up a star in Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen Ji-dan, who played Lee's mentor, Ip Man, in a series of biopics. But despite discussions, Block has not reached an agreement with Bruce Lee Entertainment, the company set up by Shannon and Lee's widow, Linda Lee Cadwell.
The rival film projects reflect an international fascination with Lee, who died at the age of 32 in 1973. He has been the subject of a series of films, documentaries and television series - often accompanied by legal disputes within the Lee family and heated rows about the star's legacy.
Caldwell and Shannon own Lee's personal copyright, and the 1993 US biopic Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story was based on a book by Cadwell. But the film was criticised by some fans for skipping over family matters.
In 2010, Bruce's brother Robert Lee, served as executive producer for a Hong Kong biopic, Bruce Lee, My Brother. The film's producers received a flurry of legal letters from Shannon's solicitor before its release.
Wong Yiu-keung, chairman of the Bruce Lee Club of Hong Kong - of which Robert is honorary chairman - said it would be difficult for anyone to play the legend.
"Bruce is not Gandhi or Mandela. He's an actor himself," he said. Copyright issues meant filmmakers had to avoid certain aspects of Bruce's life, he added.


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Thrilling Bruce Lee dance show explores Hong Kong star’s life and career

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Hong Kong extends martial arts star Bruce Lee’s memorial trail with new monument

Bruce Lee

Coming soon: Bruce Lee's daughter kick-starts plans for Hong Kong legend's official biopic

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

Shannon Lee, daughter of Bruce Lee, is the president of the Bruce Lee Foundation and looks after his legacy. Photo: AP

What Bruce Lee's daughter learned from her father ... and why she put his face on a line of drinks

Photo: AP

"I've dedicated a lot of my life to ... continuing his legacy," Shannon Lee says of her father. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Martial-arts legend's daughter announces film as US producer presses ahead with second project


Two rival biopics of Hong Kong kung-fu legend Bruce Lee are in development in Hollywood, after Lee's daughter announced the family was developing a definitive big-screen version of his life.


Celebrity children

Coming soon: Bruce Lee's daughter kick-starts plans for Hong Kong legend's official biopic

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Martial-arts legend's daughter announces film as US producer presses ahead with second project

Martial-arts legend's daughter announces film as US producer presses ahead with second project