Foreword:
The classic drama "Kung Fu", which set off a ratings frenzy in the United States that year, has passed more than 50 years since the invitation to the leading actor was rejected by Bruce Lee.
During this period, the essence and charm of this work have never faded, and the legend it depicts in pursuit of faith and the salvation of the common people is still fascinating.
Time has passed, and when this opportunity came again, fate chose Donnie Yen.
Did he ever dream of standing on the stage of "Kung Fu" when he was young, taking over the olive branch of the director, and performing a legend of his own?
A tribute to a director.
In Donnie Yen's era, Bruce Lee had already become a legendary idol who conquered the world.
The TV series "Kung Fu" set off a ratings frenzy in the United States, telling the story of a man who has gone through a lot of hardships to find revenge, defeating a strong enemy and saving the common people in the Jedi counterattack.
In the United States back then, this series was almost everywhere.
However, what is embarrassing is that the olive branch that invited Bruce Lee to play the leading role was finally turned away.
Countless fans regretted this, and Bruce Lee failed to complete the perfect dream lineup in their minds.
But the essence of this drama has been deeply rooted, and more than 50 years later, it is still fresh.
Now, in this new era, director David Leitch is determined to bring it to the big screen.
The veteran director has always been fond of legends, and the films he directed, such as "Jedi Rebirth" and "Dragon's Flight", are all tributes to Chinese kung fu.
This decision to reboot the classic old drama "Kung Fu" is also his tribute to the works of that era.
Showing this story, which was loved by the audience at the time, through the language of the film, is his way of interpreting the spirit.
Director David said that he was deeply moved by the unique characterization of this drama, the well-designed plot rhythm, and the romantic heroism.
Its SUP (suspense reasoning) style of structural arrangement and narrative technique also had a deep impact on him.
The call of fate.
I have always had a place in my heart for a character that belongs to Bruce Lee, and I look forward to one day being able to play such a character. ”
In an interview, when asked about his idol, Donnie Yen replied.
For this oriental kung fu superstar, Bruce Lee's figure always seems to be the target of his pursuit.
Now, in the "Kung Fu" movie directed by David, Donnie Yen has finally waited for his own opportunity.
He will play the role of the male protagonist Kane, interpreting a legendary story of seeking revenge to save the common people and finally defeating a strong enemy.
This is undoubtedly the call of fate to him - your time is up!
Even though time has passed, even though the former idol has passed away for many years, he still stands on his own stage and takes over the baton of legend.
Donnie Yen said that being able to play such a classic role that is deeply loved by the audience is the pinnacle of his acting career.
Especially Bruce Lee was also invited to play this role back then, and it means a lot to him to take on such a legendary relay.
He is determined to go all out and use his understanding of martial arts to create a three-dimensional and vivid heroic image that will move modern audiences.
It is also his wish to use his oriental face to interpret a Western legend that is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and complete cross-cultural spiritual exchanges.
Let's go back in time and depict the dreams that Donnie Yen has hidden in his heart for many years.
A legendary past and present life.
And in the distant United States, the TV series "Kung Fu" is conquering the audience with its unique charm.
Bruce Lee is also negotiating with the American producer, hoping to let Bruce Lee play this role.
However, in the end, for some reason, Bruce Lee turned down the opportunity.
He didn't stand on that stage of his own and complete the most perfect lineup in the audience's mind, and he may regret this regret all his life.
But the essence of "Kung Fu" is a foregone conclusion.
The legend of a revenge-seeking man who used martial arts stunts to defeat strong enemies and rescue the common people deeply touched the hearts of the audience.
The series set off a ratings frenzy in the United States and became a classic of the era.
Time flies, and a new generation of kung fu superstar Donnie Yen was born.
When he was young, what was shown on the TV screen was Bruce Lee's popular movie all over the world.
Donnie Yen grew up chasing idols, eager to one day play such a legend himself.
Seeking revenge, rescuing the common people, and finally defeating a strong enemy, the experience of the man in "Kung Fu" is just like the epitome of the life of a kung fu practitioner.
Donnie Yen has watched Bruce Lee's movies since he was a child, and he has indirectly understood the values contained in "Kung Fu".
The romantic heroism it depicts is one of the spiritual essences of the Chinese nation since ancient times.
When the opportunity of "Kung Fu" came again, fate chose Donnie Yen today.
More than 50 years have passed since the last invitation, and he has finally stood on his own stage, fulfilled his dream when he was young, and inherited and carried forward the legend of his past and present lives.
A real western memory.
Director David Leitch said that this movie version of "Kung Fu" will present a real western world to the extreme.
The TV series version of the original book tells a story that takes place in the American West at the end of the 19th century.
In order to restore the realism of the year, the new crew built a huge western scene in the United States.
It was a very characteristic era, with frequent conflicts between Indians and pioneers, silver miners, cowboys, gunfights, and tavern brawls, forming a rough and sensitive, violent and free picture of the West.
And the actor Kane, in such a blood-boiling world where no one believes in anyone, has gone through all kinds of hardships and dangers to embark on a journey of revenge.
He endured hardships and finally defeated his enemies after the Jedi counterattack, completing his self-redemption.
With the support of the real western background, the audience will be able to feel more deeply and realistically how a martial arts master rescued the common people in the environment of that era.
This real foundation makes his deeds more legendary and his existence more timeless.
This method of shooting on location will also be a highlight of the movie version of "Kung Fu".
The crew spared no expense to build western towns, bars, and ranches to restore the original style of the American West more than 100 years ago.
All the buildings refer to the real pictures of history, and the characters and props and accessories are also restored to history as much as possible.
This kind of nuanced (sub-space-time construction) will greatly enhance the sense of substitution and cross-time and space experience of watching the movie.
The audience seems to travel back more than 100 years, in the chaotic and free western world of that year, and experience the hero's difficult revenge journey.
A collective performance by a group of new and old filmmakers.
In addition to Donnie Yen and David Leitch, the behind-the-scenes lineup of this movie version of "Kung Fu" is also exciting.
As one of the original works of the classics of the year, this film production team brought together a group of old, middle-aged and young filmmakers with their own characteristics.
They not only have rich experience as producers of cinema blockbusters, but also have the creative thinking to use new ** to tell stories.
While inheriting and carrying forward the essence of the original work, the novelty added by these filmmakers will also bring a different sense of impact to the audio-visual effect.
With the blessing of modern technology, the action scenes are bound to be even more exciting.
In addition, Donnie Yen's interaction with new and old filmmakers will also produce a different chemical reaction.
These accomplished professionals will bring new inspiration to Donnie Yen and enrich his performance experience at the level of camera language and performance.
And he will also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the classics and learn from the predecessors of the film.
"Old wine in new bottles" is a core concept of the film production team.
On the basis of preserving the essence of the classic original work, they strive to insert innovative ideas.
For example, the addition of *** subcultural elements enriches the possibility of character relationships and increases the suspense of plot turns.
Another example is the use of a literary and classical atmosphere similar to the movie version of "Dead Poets Society" to express the inner monologue and spirit (inquiry) of the protagonist, making the character appear more three-dimensional and full.
It is foreseeable that these rich and diverse creative elements will form a strong chemical reaction with Donnie Yen's own performance style and understanding, bringing a new movie-watching experience, and also rejuvenating the classic "Kung Fu".
A legendary journey across time and space.
Once upon a time, Donnie Yen depicted alone in a dream, hoping that one day he would play a legendary hero like Bruce Lee.
Time has passed, and he finally waited for his own opportunity.
A legendary story that transcends time and space, it is up to him to interpret and inherit.
When the movie "Kung Fu" finally hit the screen, did the audience also follow the figure of the actor and travel back to that bloody era?
After a lot of hardships, did he also complete his self-redemption in the Jedi counterattack?
This is not only a martial arts story, but also a call of fate to an actor.
It remains to be seen whether Donnie Yen will seize this opportunity to show a wonderful performance that will amaze the audience and make his predecessors proud.
Once Bruce Lee almost became the interpreter of the legend of "Kung Fu", but in the end, this long-cherished wish was lost.
Now, more than 50 years later, Donnie Yen has completed this relay across time and space.
He is not only the TV version of the male protagonist Kane, but also the image in the minds of all the viewers who follow and love this classic.
He shouldered the unfulfilled dreams of his predecessors, and faced not only the villain boss in the movie, but also the audience's expectations and scrutiny.
Conclusion: It remains to be seen what kind of wonderful cross-cultural performance it will be, and whether the oriental superstar who has hidden the true meaning of kung fu can benchmark against the Western classics and complete a successful (role fit).