Bruce Lee biopic set: Ang Lee to direct, film’s son to play martial arts icon

Los Angeles, Dec 1 : Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, known for helming Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain, is set to direct a film about Chinese American martial arts legend Bruce Lee.Ang Lees son Mason Lee will star in the film, which is in development at Sonys 3000 Pictures.

Dan Futterman, who wrote Capote and Foxcatcher, is adapting the script.

Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung and Wells Tower wrote earlier versions of the screenplay, reports Variety.Bruce Lee, who died in 1973 at the age of 32, had a brief but lasting presence in Hollywood as an actor, director and martial arts expert.

His films, including Fist of Fury, Enter the Dragon and The Way of the Dragon, as well as the TV series The Green Hornet, popularised martial arts across the globe in the late 1960s and early 70s."Accepted as neither fully American nor Fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge between East and West who introduced Chinese Gung Fu to the world, a scientist of combat and an iconic performing artist who revolutionised both the martial arts and action cinema," Ang Lee said in a statement.

"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.""Bruce Lee is a longtime passion project for Ang and a deeply emotional story depicting the triumphs and conflicts of one of the foremost real life action heroes of our time," Gabler said.

"All of us at Sony and 3000 Pictures are proud to help Ang and his filmmaking team create what we believe will be an extraordinary theatrical event."A decorated filmmaker, Ang Lees movies have scored at the box office in addition to collecting several Academy Awards: including four for Life of Pi, three for Brokeback Mountain and two for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.His other credits include Sense and Sensibility, Hulk, Lust and Billy Lynns Long Halftime Walk.

Mason Lee, who is 32, has appeared in Billy Lynns Long Halftime Walk and The Hangover Part II.He most recently starred in the Taiwanese romantic comedy Stand By Me, Hong Kong drama Limbo and Who Killed Cock Robin.dc/svn/ #Bruce #biopic #martial #icon #Los Angeles #Hong Kong #Sony #Hollywood.