Pop stars vie to star as Bruce Lee

By Min Lee  |   2008-12-23  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

HE lists Jet Li as one of his idols, penned a song called "Nunchucks" and his most recent movie is called "Kung Fu Dunk." Now he's in the running to star as the ultimate martial arts icon - Bruce Lee.

Hong Kong director Wilson Yip said yesterday he's considering Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou for the role of Lee in the sequel to his recently released film "Ip Man," a biography of Lee's kung fu master.

Also in his sights to star as the king of kung fu cinema is another singer-turned-actor, Hong Kong's Aaron Kwok.

"Aaron Kwok will bring his unique qualities to the role of Bruce Lee. Jay Chou will bring his unique qualities. I will prepare a different script for each actor and see who is interested," Yip told The Associated Press.

He said Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen would reprise his role as the title character, Ip Man.

"Ip Man" is based on the life of the legendary master of wing chun ?? a kung fu style that traces its roots to a monk from the famed Shaolin Temple.

The film ends with Ip's move from his southern Chinese hometown of Foshan to neighboring Hong Kong. It was in Hong Kong that Ip met 13-year-old Lee and took him under his wing.

Yip said the follow-up film will focus on Ip's relationship with his most famous disciple.

Polly Chan, a publicist for Hong Kong's Mandarin Films Ltd, confirmed that the company has plans to make a sequel but the final decision depends on the box office results for the original.

Lee, who died in Hong Kong in 1973 at age 32 from a swelling on the brain, was born in San Francisco but grew up in Hong Kong, where he launched his big screen career as an international martial arts superstar. His credits include "The Chinese Connection," "Enter the Dragon" and "Return of the Dragon."