China's national broadcaster, China Central Television, has started
shooting a 40-episode television series on the country's most
legendary Kungfu master Bruce Lee.
The dramatic series, The Legend of Bruce Lee, with a
budget of 50-million-yuan (US$6.4 million) started production over
the weekend in Shunde in southern Guangdong Province, hometown of
the world-famous martial arts superstar.
The production will also shoot in Hong Kong and the United
States where Lee starred in many blockbuster kungfu movies.
Lee made 46 kungfu movies. He died at age 32 in 1973, while
starring and directing the movie Game of Death in Hong
Kong.
Hong Kong actor Danny Chan, who plays Lee, said he has mixed
feelings about playing the role of an icon.
"I'm a little bit nervous and very excited. But I will try my
best to portray this role," Chan said.
Danny Chan says he's been a big Bruce Lee fan since he was a
child. He studied Jeet Kune Do, the branch of kungfu Lee
established, and often imitated the star.
As he grew, people began to notice his striking resemblance to
the youthful Bruce Lee.
In 2000, Danny Chan's likeness to Bruce Lee landed him the
chance to play the part of a goalkeeper in Shaolin Soccer.
The film was directed and led by Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow,
who is also a fan of Bruce Lee.
"I hope the drama will spread Bruce Lee's 'never give up' spirit
during the Olympic 2008," Chan added.
The TV play is due to be aired in 2008, the year Beijing hosts
the Olympic Games.
China had asked the International Olympic Committee to include
Kungfu in the Beijing Olympics but was turned down. According to
Wang Xiaolin, chairman of the China Martial Arts Association, the
Beijing Olympic Committee will organize a separate kungfu contest
at the same time the formal competitions are being held in August
next year.
Bruce Lee's new TV
biopic?started shooting in Shunde ,Guangdong
Province.
Hong Kong actor Danny Chan
and Bruce's daughter Shannon Lee.
(Xinhua News Agency?April 10, 2007)
