Bruce Lee biopic to be directed by Shekhar Kapoor

‘Little Dragon’ the authorised biopic of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, will be directed by Indian film director Shekhar Kapoor.

The story is a contemporary dramatization of the 1950s Hong Kong social and political forces that shaped Bruce Lee into both the most famous martial arts star of all time and a significant modern day philosopher. Themes include family disappointment, young love, true friendship, betrayal, racism, deep poverty and an inner fire that threatened to unravel his destiny.

The film will be produced by Lee’s daughter Shannon who runs Bruce Lee Entertainment and Los Angeles-based Convergence Entertainment, with backing from Chinese investors.

Shanon Lee has also co-scripted the project with Shekhar Kapoor. She conducted significant new research into her father’s youth and formative years, a subject which has previously been tangentially explored in numerous moves including Wong Kar-wai’s “The Grandmaster” and the rival “Ip Man” franchise movies respectively directed by Wilson Yip and Herman Yau.

Pre-production is now under way, ahead of an anticipated shoot from July in Malaysia. Casting is headed by US casting director, Mary Vernieu.

Also, a worldwide casting search to find the actor to play the teenaged Bruce Lee was launched last week by US casting director Mary Vernieu.

“The film will be a contemporary take on Bruce Lee who, aside from being considered the most gifted and famous martial artist of all time, is now accepted as a major philosopher in his own right,” Kapoor has been quoted by the website.

“I always thought that a film about how my father’s life was shaped in his early years in Hong Kong would be a worthwhile story to share so we could better understand him as a human being and a warrior,” said Lee. “I’m really excited that Shekhar will breathe life into the first film from Bruce Lee Entertainment.”