In the realm of entertainment, the theft of Bruce Lee’s original TV show concept, “The Warrior,” by Warner Bros. stands as a glaring example of Hollywood’s whitewashing problem. Instead of casting Bruce Lee, they opted for a white actor in “Kung Fu.” The glaring lack of Asian representation in Hollywood has been addressed by recent reboots such as “Warrior” and the CW’s “Kung Fu,” which aim to rectify past mistakes and provide a fresh perspective.
In the 1993 biopic “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story,” Bruce Lee and his then-girlfriend Linda attend a screening of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” a film infamous for its portrayal of a non-Japanese Mickey Rooney as a caricatured Japanese man. The audience erupts in laughter, but Bruce is visibly uncomfortable, recognizing the racism inherent in the depiction.
In the film “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story,” Bruce Lee impresses Bill Krieger with his skills as Kato on the set of “The Green Hornet.” As they walk through the Warner Bros. back lot, Bruce pitches an idea for a TV show set in the Wild West, starring a Chinese immigrant who solves problems using only his hands. Bruce jokes about the possibility of someone like Mickey Rooney taking on the lead role. However, when Bruce and Linda tune into the premiere of the show, they discover “Kung Fu,” starring David Carradine, a non-Chinese actor, in the role of the Chinese immigrant.
Bruce Lee has been an icon of pop culture since the 1970s, but alongside his fame, myths and falsehoods have pervaded his story. Setting the record straight requires debunking popular myths, such as his alleged feuds or fights. The connection between Bruce Lee and “Kung Fu” is also subject to dispute, with Warner Bros. denying the claims of theft and casting a white lead.
What is known is that Bruce Lee had a concept for a television show called “The Warrior” or “Ah Sahm,” which revolved around the story of a Chinese immigrant in the Old West. Around the same time, writers Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander were shopping around an original movie titled “The Way of the Tiger, The Sign of the Dragon.” Spielman, a Jewish writer with a deep passion for Asian cultures, proposed setting the story in the Old West, leading to a convergence of ideas.
Both “Ah Sahm” and “The Way of the Tiger” draw inspiration from various genres and real-world figures. “Kung Fu,” the television adaptation of “The Way of the Tiger,” follows the formula of a typical western with a “cowboys and Indians” setting, but with the twist of a half-Chinese monk as the lead character. In contrast, Bruce Lee’s movies, such as “The Big Boss” and “Enter the Dragon,” showcased a more assertive and dynamic fighting style.
Bruce Lee’s showiness has often been interpreted as arrogance, but his true goals and philosophies have been distorted over the years. His daughter, Shannon Lee, resurrected the original concept of “Ah Sahm” in the show “Warrior,” while the CW reboot of “Kung Fu” in 2021 features a Chinese American protagonist portrayed by Olivia Liang. These reboots address the casting difficulties faced by Asian actors in Hollywood and provide a platform for recontextualizing past mistakes.
Looking back, the portrayal of a white actor in yellowface as the lead in “Kung Fu” can be seen as a reminder of the progress that still needs to be made. However, it’s important to acknowledge that David Carradine’s performance was commendable despite the misguided casting choice, and the show itself had its merits. The recent reboots of “Warrior” and “Kung Fu” serve as vital correctives and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse entertainment industry.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
