I am so here for this. Cinemax has given a 10-episode straight to series order to the period action drama Warrior, written by Jonathan Tropper, executive produced by Justin Lin and Danielle Woodrow, and inspired by an original idea from late martial artist Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee-Inspired Tong Wars Drama 'Warrior' From Justin Lin & 'Banshee' Co-Creator Gets Cinemax Series Order
Set against the backdrop of the Tong Wars of San Francisco's Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century, Warrior tells the story of Ah Sahm, a gifted martial artist who immigrates from China to San Francisco and becomes a hatchet man for one of Chinatown's most powerful organized crime families.
Warrior appears to be a version of the long-rumored martial arts western that Bruce Lee had tried to develop as a star vehicle for himself, but was never able to materialize -- the idea that many believe eventually became Kung Fu... starring David Carradine, who was totally not Asian. In a now-famous 1971 interview on The Pierre Berton Show, Lee mentions he was in discussions to pitch a western called "The Warrior."
Lin says he was inspired to produce Warrior after Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee, shared her father's writings.
"I've always admired Bruce Lee for his trailblazing efforts opening doors for Asians in entertainment and beyond," Lin says. "So I was intrigued when Danielle told me about the urban legend of his never-produced idea for a TV show and suggested we bring it to life. Then, when Shannon shared with us her father's writings -- rich with Lee's unique philosophies on life, and through a point of view rarely depicted on screen -- Danielle and I knew that Perfect Storm had to make it."
Warrior is produced by Perfect Storm Entertainment, Tropper Ink Productions and Bruce Lee Entertainment. Executive producers are Tropper, Lin, Woodrow and Shannon Lee.
Tropper, who also co-created the Cinemax series Banshee, promises that Warrior will be a powerful, complex and timely immigration drama, in addition to featuring, you know, badass action.
"As a show that proudly bears the imprimatur of Bruce Lee, it's our intention to deliver not only explosive martial arts action -- which we will -- but also a powerful and complex immigration drama that is as relevant today as it was in the 1870s," said Tropper.
The series is set to begin production in Cape Town, South Africa.
More here: Cinemax Orders Bruce Lee-Inspired Drama 'Warrior'
