The Toronto International Film Festival is currently in full swing, and one of the films making its world premiere next week is directorGeorge Nolfi’sBirth of the Dragon, which centers on martial arts legendBruce Lee. The film will have its premiere on September 13, but while we wait for this first ever screening, the first poster has surfaced, featuringPhilip NgasBruce Lee. While there have beenBruce Leebiopics in the past, this film focuses on a little-known fight that helped him become a world-renowned legend.
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Chinatown, this cross-cultural film chronicles {Bruce Lee’s emergence as a martial-arts superstar after his legendary secret showdown with fellow martial artist Wong Jack Man, a Shaolin master who had been sent from China to stop Bruce Lee. The film is based on the real-life no holds barred fight took place 1965, a time when San Francisco’s Chinatown district was controlled by the Chinese Triad gangs. The script will begin with thismartial artsbattle, then follow both men as they team up to take on a horde of gangsters. The poster debuted onDeadlineahead of the Toronto world premiere.
Christopher WilkinsonandStephen J. Rivelewrote the script, continuing their tradition asbiopic specialists. They have previously written the scripts forNixon,Ali,Copying Beethoven,Pawn Sacrificeand this year’sMiles Ahead. They are also writing the upcoming remake ofA Star Is Born, whichBradley Cooperwill direct and star in alongsideLady Gaga, and an upcomingFreddie Mercury Biopic.
Bill Blockis producing for QED International, alongside Groundswell’sMichael Londonand writersChristopher WilkinsonandStephen J. Rivele.George Nolfidirects, marking the follow-up to his 2011 directorial debut,The Adjustment Bureau, starringMatt DamonandEmily Blunt.George Nolfihas also written screenplays forThe Bourne Ultimatum,Ocean’s Twelve,Timeline,The Sentineland the upcomingSpectral.
The supporting cast includesBilly Magnussen,Terry Chen,Ron Yuan,Vanessa Ross,Darren E. Scott,Darryl QuonandYu Xiaas Wong Jack Man.Birth of the Dragondoesn’t have a distributor yet, but that could change afterBirth of the Dragonhas its world premiere in Toronto. Take a look at thefirst posterforBirth of the Dragonbelow.
