New Bruce Lee biopic announced

July 21, 2:23 PMLA Asian American Movie ExaminerEd Moy

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 Bruce Lee.  Columbia Pictures / AP file

There's a new Bruce Lee biopic in the works. 

And according to various reports, this time it won't be a Hollywood-ized version of the legendary martial artist's life.

"There are many books or movies about my brother, but I think they are not even close to truth. I want to make the movie of a true Bruce Lee and then I have no more regrets in my life," stated Lee's 70-year-old sister Phoebe at a press event in Beijing, China on Monday to announce the project.

The Associated Press confirmed that the Lee family is "working with China’s J.A. Media Group to make a three-part biopic about Hong Kong’s most famous native son, who died 36 years ago this week."

AP reports that the “Bruce Lee” three-part biopic is scheduled to start shooting in October.  It will be produced by Li Chen and Manfred Wong. Tony Leung Ka-fai will play Lee’s father, but no other cast members have been set.

According to Variety, the initial investment in the first movie will be 50 million yuan ($7.3 million) with a scheduled release on Lee's 70th birthday, November 27, 2010.

Lee’s brother Robert, who will also serve as a producer on the project, joined his sister at the press conference with J.A. Media to announce the "Bruce Lee" trilogy in Beijing on Monday.

"The movie will have three episodes describing the star's youth, his martial-arts film time, his great success and unexpected death," Lee's brother is quoted as saying on Chinaview news.

Recently, the Hong Kong government also memorialized Lee by launching a design competition to build a museum for the kung fu master.

Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, and a panel of architects and town planners will judge the competition, and the winners will be announced in November or December. The museum is expected to include a kung fu studio, a film archive and a library.

Born in November 1940 in San Francisco, Lee was raised in Hong Kong before his father sent him back to America after a brawl as a youngster.  As well as his martial prowess, he was also a ballroom dancing champion. 

Lee got his first big break in the movies when he was cast in the Hong Kong film "The Big Boss" aka "Fist of Fury."  His popularity around the world paved the way for stars like Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Lee died of a swelling in the brain in 1973 at age 32, while starring in and directing the movie “Game of Death” in Hong Kong.  His tragic death occurred less than a month after the release of “Enter the Dragon,” the movie that made him into an international movie star.

Lee's name also made headlines recently when Hong Kong action star Stephen Chow bowed out of a co-starring role as Kato in Seth Rogen's "The Green Hornet" movie.  A replacement for Chow has not been named.

The role of Kato was made famous by Lee on the 1960's "Green Hornet" TV series. 

According to "Bruce Lee" trilogy producer Manfred Wong, the first installment will focus on Lee's teenage years in Hong Kong.

“There will be Kung Fu, but more importantly, we want to portray the real Bruce Lee. What is the real Bruce Lee like? He was very humorous. He was very obedient to his parents. He was very kind to his family,” Wong said.

Related stories:

Kungfu star Bruce Lee's new movie to be shot - China Daily News

Bruce Lee's siblings authorize Chinese biopics - Associated Press

Bruce Lee museum, biopic unveiled - Variety