Bruce Lee's stamp on America is official, says US Postal Service

In his too brief life, martial artist and movie star  Bruce Lee had a huge stamp on the lives of Asian men and now you can put his stamp on your mail.

In a move that feels like it’s been decades in the making, the United States Postal Service officially inducted Bruce Lee into its permanent collection this week. At a packed ceremony at Seattle’s historic Nippon Kan Theater—just a stone's throw from where Lee first began teaching his philosophy of "being like water"—the USPS unveiled the 2026 Forever Stamp.

More than just an action star

For the Asian American community, this isn't just about a movie star. It’s about visibility. As Views From the Edge has tracked for years, the fight for representation in media started with the trail Lee blazed in the 1960s and 1970s.

“Bruce Lee was mesmerizing to watch. Unlike the theatrical, acrobatic kung fu that came before, his movements were economical, explosive and real,” said Ben Kuo, the Postal Service’s senior vice president of facilities and infrastructure, who spoke at the ceremony.

Bruce Lee fundamentally shifted the perception of Asian men by replacing decades of demeaning caricatures with an image of physical power, sexual charisma, and defiant agency.

"He wasn't just a martial artist; he was a philosopher who forced the world to look at an Asian man as a hero, a leader, and a human being," said one attendee at the Seattle launch.

Before Lee's rise in the early 1970s, Asian men in Western media were typically relegated to "emasculated" roles such as bumbling servants, desexualized "nerds," or villainous "Fu Manchu" archetypes.

FYI: The Bruce Lee Forever® stamp, released on February 18, 2026, can be purchased for $15.60 per sheet of 20 through the USPS Postal Store website, by calling 844-737-7826, or at local post offices nationwide. The commemorative stamp is also available via the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

The design

The stamp itself, designed by Kam Mak, captures that kinetic energy we all remember. Its aThe Look: A black-and-white tempera painting of Lee mid-air in his signature flying kick. The background features a bold yellow brushstroke, a nod to the jumpsuit that became a global symbol of defiance in Game of Death.

In a clever bit of typography, the words "BRUCE LEE" appear to be shattering under the force of his kick..

It was only fitting that the launch happened in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is where Lee found his personal and martial arts footing, met his wife Linda, and where he now rests at Lake View Cemetery.

His daughter, Shannon Lee, was on hand to remind the crowd that her father’s legacy wasn't just about the "fists of fury," but about the mental strength required to break through the racial "bamboo ceilings" of 1960s Hollywood.

Enter Bruce Lee

He first entered America's concsiousness in the one-season Green Hornet TV series where he played Kato, the loyal sidekick. While the show was not good enough for another season, Lee's prowess as a martial artist stole every fight scene from the Green Hornet and introduced a new Asian man to America.

In breaking old stereotypes, Bruce Lee created another: the iconic martial artist.

Unfortunately, Hollywood didn't catch on to the significance of Lee's popularity with the younger generation. He still found the major studio doors closed to the concept of an Asian being a leading man.

That's why he left Hollywood for Hong Kong where his martial arts movies -- Game of Death, The Big Boss, The Way of the Dragon and Fists of Fury -- were wildly popular. Of course, the success of those films led to a collaboration with Warner Brothers to produce Enter the Dragon, the movie that reintroduced the martial artist icon to American audiences and legions of new fans that kicked off a surge of martial art studios' openings.

Bruce Lee fundamentally shifted the perception of Asian men by replacing decades of demeaning caricatures with an image of physical power, sexual charisma, and defiant agency.

        RELATED: 'Warrior' is an ode to Bruce Lee & my 'Kung Fu' audition 

Before Lee's rise in the early 1970s, Asian men in Western media were typically relegated to "emasculated" roles such as bumbling servants, desexualized "nerds," or villainous "Fu Manchu" archetypes.

Ironically, while he broke old stereotypes, his success inadvertently created a new one: the expectation that every Asian man in film must be a martial arts expert, a typecasting that actors like Jackie Chan and Jet Li later had to navigate.

Today, Lee remains an enduring icon of pride and strength, particularly cited as a source of resilience for Asian American communities during times of social challenge.

“I think it’s great for him to be recognized by the US Postal Service because a lot of people don’t realize that he was American,” says Shannon Lee. “America really shaped him and in return, he helped shape America.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Shohei Ohtani is reaching Bruce Lee status

Shohei Ohtani pitches and homers for the L.A. Dodgers win against the Milwaukee Brewers.

As a long-time fan of the San Francisco Giants, it pains me to admit this: Shohei Ohtani is the greatest baseball player of all time. It's just too bad  he plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants' bitter rival, 

The Japanese-born Ohtani's Game 4 performance Oct. 15 was described by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a Japanese American, as "the greatest postseason performance of all time,"

Shohei Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to the 2024 National League pennant with a historic two-way performance in the clinching Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the National League pennant-clinching 5-1 victory, Ohtani performed masterfully both at the plate and on the mound, a performance that had even Giants' fans in awe.

Not only did he throw six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out 10 batters to earn the win; he also hit three home runs, becoming the first player in major league history to hit three homers and pitch in the same postseason game.

        RELATED: Shohei Ohtani, the new face of baseball

So has Shohei Ohtani reached Bruce Lee status? It's not a crazy idea, but it's a hell of a conversation starter. You have one guy, a martial arts legend, and another, a baseball phenom, both redefining what it means to be a powerful Asian man in America.

The thing is, it's not a one-to-one comparison. It’s about two different moments in time. Bruce Lee had to fight his way in, literally. He had to be explosive, loud, and confident on a very different stage—the movies. He was breaking down doors that were firmly locked. His masculinity was a raw, defiant force, and it was exactly what was needed back then.

Ohtani, on the other hand, comes from a different angle. He's not in-your-face, but his quiet domination is just as powerful. Standing 6’4”, he’s an athletic force of nature, a giant in America's pastime. He doesn’t need to swagger. His talent does all the talking. And for a whole new generation, that quiet excellence is the new loud. It's a different kind of strength, earned in the mainstream without the same kind of defiant attitude Lee had to embody.

Another difference is Lee excelled in the exotic martial arts originating in Asia. He did it so well that he created a new stereotype that if you are Asian you must know martial arts.

Lee challenged the long-held Hollywood stereotype of Asian men as weak, submissive servants or villains by showcasing his incredible martial arts skills and physical prowess.

In contrast, Ohtani is dominating in baseball, America's Pasttime. It's not like he is the first ballplayer of Asian origin to play the sport in the major league but the 6'4" Ohtani's three homers was a historic display of power. One of the home runs he blasted Friday went sailing over the outfield bleachers and out of the park.

On top of that, in the six innings that he pitched, he struck out 10. He faced only 22 batters and held the Brewers scoreless. Dominant. Astounding.

It shows how far we’ve come. From a time when we had to rely on a martial artist to smash stereotypes, to now, where a humble, two-way baseball star can do the same just by being the best at what he does. The foundation Lee laid for Asian masculinity is still there, but Ohtani is building a different kind of structure on top of it. One that is less about being an exception and more about being the standard.

Asians and Asian Americans say that Ohtani may be giving them a new narrative.

Evan-Thomas May and Zeph Wong wrote about their lifelong obsession with baseball–starting with Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners – and how Ohtani has solidified it:

“So when I watch the MLB roll an Ohtani commercial, or hear the taiko drums boom as I load my game, Shotime’s prominence feels like so much more than just marketing. Seeing him is a representation of my own identity, my own community, and all those who have afforded me the life I have today.”

Bruce Lee's status as a stereotype-buster is undeniable. I'm one of those kids who saw Lee as a hero and a beneficiary of his tough-guy image in Hollywood  of taking no guff from anybody with the philosophic lessons of a genuine sifu. 

Ohtani is breaking ground in the statistic-loving world of major league baseball where every at-bat, every pitch, every stolen base is documented and can't be debated. On top of his 50 home runs, 50 steals season last year, his latest performance cements his other-worldly status in sports

Except when the Dodgers play the Giants, I'll admit that every time Ohtani hits a homer, steals a base, or pitches a strike-out, I'm secretly cheering for him.

Ohtani may not be aware of what he's doing for Asian Americans -- at least he has not made any public statements on that subject. For every Asian kid who is overlooked in sports or picked last for a team because we're not supposed to excel in physical endeavors: We're told we're too small, not fast enough, not strong enough, not driven enough; stick to academe, become a lawyer or doctor, we're told. In this era, we are witnessing the  resurgence of white supremacy and the rise in anti-Asian attacks and rhetoric, Ohtani is breaking that stereotype.

And he's not done yet. The 31-year old Ohtani told TIME magazine that his best is “yet to come.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

'We Are Bruce Lee' exhibit reopens SF Chinatown's museum

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Shannon lee attended the Chinatown museum's exhibit honoring her father, the late Bruce Lee.

San Francisco's Chinatown has a new tourist attraction that honors one of the city's own heroes. The exhibit honoring the late martial artist and actor Bruce Lee opened over the weekend at the Chinatown Historical Society Association's Museum.

The unveiling Saturday of the new exhibit preceded the re-opening of the CHSA museum on Sunday.

The groundbreaking exhibition, "We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family" is a multimedia collaboration between the Bruce Lee Foundation, top collectors of Bruce Lee memorabilia, and a team of artistic innovators will showcase state-of-the-art engagement to magnify the vision and values of a Chinese American icon who transcended race, geography, and culture.

Lee was born at Chinese Hospital in San Francisco’s Chinatown. He remains an international icon and Chinatown hero years after his untimely death in 1973 at the age of 32.

This exhibit offers unique perspectives of Bruce beyond martial arts and acting—as a visionary, athlete, thinker, and unifier who fought discrimination with uncanny strength, unwavering resilience, and profound engagement with a multicultural society. Visitors of all ages will learn about his evolution from a kid from Hong Kong to a global pioneering entrepreneur and his immortal influence on fans and followers across generations, backgrounds, and all walks of life.

The generous contributions of the Bruce Lee Foundation, and collectors Jeff Chinn, Robert Gomez, Ken Hao, and Perry Lee present a trove of rarely seen artifacts, historic photos, handwritten letters, memorabilia, video, film, artwork, graphical displays, and multimedia technology. Collectively, this exhibit reveals Bruce’s personal philosophies on life and society—which offer relevant lessons in present day, a time currently fraught with xenophobia, racism, and social injustice.

Key selections from the artifacts on exhibit include:

• 35mm celluloid prints from each of Bruce’s movies installed in glowing light boxes;
• A custom-designed installation featuring original artifacts depicting Bruce as Kato from the TV show The Green Hornet including an original October 1966 TV Guide, the first feature of an Asian American on a nationally distributed magazine cover;
• Bruce’s personal weight bench and dumbbell set;
• Rare photos of Bruce in costume on the sets of his many films; and
• An original copy of The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, Bruce’s publication on his martial arts philosophy

The exhibit's theme of unity breaks ground in San Francisco with a mission to bridge communities from two historic neighborhoods—Chinatown and Fillmore/Western Addition in an effort to tell the story of cross-community respect and collaboration. We Are Bruce Lee features an art gallery curated by African American Art & Culture Complex Co-executive Directors Melonie and Melorra Green showcasing Bruce’s influence on the Black community from the perspective of some of the Bay Area’s premier Black artists and other creatives of color.

In addition, CHSA is excited to debut the complementary Bruce Lee mural “Be the Bridge” in the museum’s Yick Gallery, produced by Bay Area art collectives "Twin Walls Mural Company and Macro Waves." 

Artists Elaine Chu and Marina Perez-Wong of theTwin Walls Mural Co. created “Be the Bridge,” a 24-by-10-foot mural that will be on display in CHSA’s Yick Gallery.

This expansive art piece takes inspiration from Bruce’s unifying of communities and offers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. It utilizes artwork and animated projections by creatives from different cultural communities, including a customized soundscape and playlist by local musicians Mike Dinkins and De’Ahna Turner.

The journey to present this historic exhibition was born as a result of the challenges that Chinese Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), and San Francisco Chinatown have faced over the past two years. Amid this unrelentingly difficult time for AAPIs, the hardships have become an opportunity to bring light to our community. 

Through "We Are Bruce Lee," CHSA aims to strengthen and revitalize the Chinatown neighborhood in which Bruce was born; to amplify the Chinese American and AAPI communities; and to combat racism and hate by bringing diverse audiences together in solidarity.

The Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco is the oldest organization in the country dedicated to the presentation of Chinese American history.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't miss out on additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective. Follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Special Bruce Lee pair of sneakers worn by NBA star Steph Curry will benefit families of Georgia shooting victims

 

Steph Curry's shoes will be auctioned off to benefit the families of the Georgia shootings.

Steph Curry, the Golden State Warriors' superstar point guard, wore a pair of shoes on the basketball court unlike any he has ever worn.

The yellow and black custom-made sneakers had an image of the legendary Bruce Lee and his family along with one of Lee's quotes.

Wearing the pair of shoes while playing in Atlanta against the NBA Hawks was intentional and significant.

News of the March 16 mass shooting  tragedy in Atlanta sparked outrage in Curry  immediately.

“Disgust, horror and outright anger at why any violence keeps happening in our country,” he told The Undefeated. “After all we have been through this past year, let alone in the history of our country, people still deal with unnecessary tragedy and are afraid for their lives. We have to do better.”

It took 12 hours of painting by Kreative Custom Kicks to design the sneakers. The inner panel features one of Curry’s favorite Bruce Lee quotes, “Under the heavens, there is but one family.”

“It’s plain and simple,” Curry tells The Undefeated. “We are all different and unique. On purpose. But, we are all human beings on a quest to fulfill our purpose and that energy should be used to uplift and love each other to the fullest. Anything else is a waste of our existence.”

Curry worked on the hand-painted shoes with The Bruce Lee Foundation managed by Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee. The plan is to auction off the shoes with the proceeds going to the families of the eight victims of the Georgia shooting carnage.

The Warriors have a huge Asian American fan base in the San Francisco Bay Area where 34% of its population is of Asian descent. 

“We have so many faithful Asian American fans that have supported me along this amazing journey,” he added. “We represent them on the court and I feel the love no matter where I go. You can’t replace that.”

“[I’m looking to] honor Bruce Lee and his continued influence and impact on today, but also shine a light on the work that needs to be done to bring all of us together, no matter what our background is,” Curry tells the Undefeated. “We have it in us, but it’s on all of us to make that reality happen. Spread love, joy, optimism and positivity always!”

ESPN airs 'Be Water' documentary about Bruce Lee

A documentary about actor and martial artist Bruce Lee will air on ESPN on Sunday.

The day after every episode of Green Hornet, my friends would gather in our place on campus designated for "outsiders" (a step just above "nerds") and discuss the intricacies of Kato's fights in the TV series.

Kato was played by martial arts legend Bruce Lee and the sight of an Asian man beating up on white dudes was cathartic for us who grew up with the yoke of the emasculated Asian male weighing us down.

Kato was the Green Hornet's sidekick, but to a generation of Asian American kids, he was the real hero, a kick-ass martial artist who got the clumsier Green Hornet out of many a jam.

I also have to admit that I kind of enjoyed walking around campus and not being picked on because everyone thought that all Asian boys knew martial arts and the myth Lee created gave the would-be bullies just enough pause to make school bearable.

Finally, someone was a heroic figure who looked like us. Lee was more than an actor and more than an action hero. The image he portrayed made him something of an idol, someone to be worshipped with almost religious fervor.

Of course, as I grew older, I would discover that Lee was just a man; a human being with flaws. The manner of his still-debated death at the age of 32 knocked him off the pedestal we put him on.

But you cannot argue the impact he had and what he represented to Asian American boys. He allowed us to dream bigger dreams, set higher goals and the wherewithal to fight those fights on campus and in the workplace that would otherwise hammer us down.

In other words, be like water, as Lee advised. "Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless -- like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

'Be Water' director Bao Nguyen

Be Water is a documentary that ESPN will air this Sunday (June 7) as part of the sports network's 30 on 30 series, which just finished the The Last Dance about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

“Obviously, Bruce Lee is this global icon, but for me, he was this myth. Who was he as a person, his struggles as an Asian American male in 1960s Hollywood? I wanted to explore that,” says director Bao Nguyen.

Nguyen is a lauded filmmaker, with projects at PBS, HBO, and films premiering at the top film festivals. His latest project, Be Water, is about the legacy of Bruce Lee, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year.

In addition to being a documentary and narrative filmmaker, he also launched a new venture, East Films, which is a film company with offices in Vietnam and Los Angeles, the two places he currently calls home. The goal of the new film company is to create high quality content in Asia and bring more Vietnamese cinema across the globe.

"He's become more than just a man. He's become an icon that anyone can project their story on," Nguyen said. "But in order for heroes to become relatable, for people to really want to be like them, you have to know their human side. Their struggles. Their fears. You need to be able to say, 'He had the same insecurities that I have, but he believed in himself and fought his way through it.' I find that to be the most aspirational part of Bruce Lee."

How to watch Be Water:

Be Water, airs tomorrow on June 7 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on ESPN. The documentary will be available to stream on ESPN+ immediately after the broadcast. 

• Watch on ESPN: Download the ESPN App | WatchESPN | TV
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• Don't have ESPN+? Get it here.

This Sunday I'm reading: A WWI hero; fighting sexual stereotypes of Asian American men and women

Here I am again, in my quiet back yard, sitting on my deck reading in the shade of a big-ol' tree that I planted decades ago. It's early morning before the breezes pick up but you can tell it's going to be a warm day. It's quiet except for the Vietnamese music being played by neighbor as he enjoys his back yard. 

Funny, I'm reading a piece about a line in Full Metal Jacket (1987) by Stanley Kubrick, that has become a rallying point for Asian American women about the Yellow Fever held by some American men's way they view AAPI women. "Me love you long time." is one of the lingering after-effects of the Vietnam War where Americans viewed the Vietnamese people as "others" in their own country. By calling them "gooks," (a word originating from the Philippine American War) thus making them less than human, it became easier to kill them: men, women, elderly, children.

Thuc Nguyen writes in Flaunt Magazine, "'Me love you long time:' Sticks around a long, long time," a phrase from the movie uttered by a Vietnamese prostitute to an American GI.  

"Over time, the phrase has entered various areas of pop culture, school yards and the music and apparel industries, often called out by people who know that it's racist and sexist. It's used to reduce Asian and Asian American women to sex objects. "

A scene from 'Full Metal Jacket.'

* * *

The last line in Stevie Wonder's song “Black Man,” asks: “Who was the soldier of Company G who won high honors for his courage and heroism in World War I?" The answer is Lau Sing Kee. He was an American hero from World War I, but he was also mocked as a “Chinese boy” in his California home town. He was a civic leader, but he also became a convicted criminal for skirting anti-Chinese immigration laws. The New York Times has an article about this unsung (Until Stevie) war hero entitled: Overlooked No More: Lau Sing Kee, War Hero Jailed for Helping Immigrants."

Lau Sing KeeL from war hero to immigrants' advocate.

* * *

"If you were an Asian guy, there was nothing out there to look up to. Nothing. Until Bruce Lee. It was like growing up in a dry, empty desert, then one day you walk over a hill ― and there’s the Pacific Ocean. That was Bruce. He was the ocean." -- KWONG LEE, Be Like Water

As an Asian guy, I took umbrage at the recent depiction of Bruce Lee in the Quentin Tarantino movie, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.

Lee was not a perfect human being but he was one of very few role models for Asian Americans that wasn't weak, asexual and the "best friend" of the white lead role.

One screen and off, he defied the old stereotypes and spent a lifetime trying to change the image of Asian males. So when Tarantino presented him as arrogant, a punk, really and unable to convincingly beat an aging white stunt man, naturally Asian men were upset. Certainly, Tarantino could have achieved his cinematic point in some other creative way without taking down one of the few "heroes" of a generation of Asian American men.

Brittany Wong writes a thoughtful piece for HuffPost: "The Radical Way Bruce Lee Redefined Asian American Masculinity."

For those who are interested, here's my some of my own thoughts on the Legend.

In the movie, ' Way of The Dragon," Bruce Lee fights another martial arts legend, Chuck Norris.

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Bruce Lee's daughter saddened by portrayal of her father in 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood'

Brad Pitt , left, challenges the Bruce Lee character played by Mike Moh in 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.

ASAM NEWS

Bruce Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, says it was “disheartening” to see her father depicted as “an arrogant asshole who was full of hot air” in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, reports The Wrap.

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW.

In the movie, Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, and Bruce Lee, played by Mike Moh, trade cocky insults. This leads to an informal, best two-out-of-three rounds fight on the set of The Green Hornet TV show: Lee swiftly knocks Booth down in the first round; Booth slams Lee into a car and stuns him in the second round; and the fight is interrupted before the third round.

“He comes across as an arrogant asshole who was full of hot air,” said Shannon Lee, who saw the film Sunday. “And not someone who had to fight triple as hard as any of those people did to accomplish what was naturally given to so many others.

“It was really uncomfortable to sit in the theater and listen to people laugh at my father,” she added. She said people often tried to challenge her father but he tried to avoid fights. “Here, he’s the one with all the puffery and he’s the one challenging Brad Pitt. Which is not how he was.”

Shannon Lee said Tarantino could possibly be trying to make a point about how her father was stereotyped, but it didn’t really come across that way to her. A representative for Tarantino didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

“I can understand all the reasoning behind what is portrayed in the movie,” she said. “I understand that the two characters are antiheroes and this is sort of like a rage fantasy of what would happen … and they’re portraying a period of time that clearly had a lot of racism and exclusion.

“I understand they want to make the Brad Pitt character this super bad-ass who could beat up Bruce Lee. But they didn’t need to treat him in the way that white Hollywood did when he was alive.”

While The Green Hornet ran from 1966-67, Shannon Lee pointed out that her father’s hair and sunglasses were more reminiscent of his look in 1973’s Enter the Dragon. She also noted that the film didn’t make fun of the character Steve McQueen, who is played by Damian Lewis.

Shannon Lee did explain that she thinks Moh did a good job portraying some of her father’s mannerisms and his voice. “But I think he was directed to be a caricature,” she added.

Shannon Lee continues her father’s legacy through BruceLee.com, her Bruce Lee Podcast, and the Bruce Lee Foundation, which hosts summer camps that teach children about Bruce Lee’s martial arts and philosophy. “What I’m interested in is raising the consciousness of who Bruce Lee was as a human being and how he lived his life,” she explained. “All of that was flushed down the toilet in this portrayal, and made my father into this arrogant punching bag.”

Matthew Polly writes in his book Bruce Lee: A Life that Lee struggled to break into Hollywood and was often overlooked or made a sidekick, such as in The Green Hornet, despite his role in teaching martial arts to some of Hollywood’s biggest names. These people included actors portrayed in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, such as McQueen, Sharon Tate, and her husband, Roman Polanski. The movie has a short clip of Lee training Tate, played by Margot Robbie, for her role in The Wrecking Crew, which Bruce Lee actually trained the real-life Tate for.

Unfortunately, Lee was even overlooked for roles as Asian characters in favor of white actors pretending to be Asian. He made his breakthrough when Hong Kong-produced martial arts epics became popularized in the US.

“The full scene with Bruce and Brad Pitt is far different than what was in the trailer,” Polly said of the Tarantino movie. “Bruce Lee was often a cocky, strutting, braggart, but Tarantino took those traits and exaggerated them to the point of a SNL caricature.”

Polly said the argument that begins the spar with Booth, which involves Lee saying he could turn Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) into a “cripple,” would never have happened.

“Bruce revered Cassius Clay (Ali); he never trash talked him in real life,” explained Polly. “Bruce never used jumping kicks in an actual fight. And even if he did, there wasn’t a stuntman in Hollywood fast enough to catch his leg and throw him into a car.

“Given how sympathetic Tarantino’s portrayal of Steve McQueen, Jay Sebring, and Sharon Tate is, I’m surprised he didn’t afford the same courtesy to Lee, the only non-white character in the film. He could have achieved the same effect -– using Bruce to make Brad Pitt’s character look tough – without the mockery. I suspect the reason Tarantino felt the need to take Bruce down a notch is because Lee’s introduction of Eastern martial arts to Hollywood fight choreography represented a threat to the livelihood of old Western stuntmen like Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), who were often incapable of adapting to a new era, and the film’s nostalgic, revisionist sympathies are entirely with the cowboys.”

According to his widow Linda Lee Cadwell, Bruce Lee had an idea for a western series, but Hollywood took his concept called "The Warrior" and turned it into the series Kung Fu starring David Carradine, reports Nerd Reactor. It was not until much later that Jonathan Tropper, Justin Lin, and Cinemax brought Bruce Lee’s concept to life. Warrior premiered in April 2019 and has been renewed for a second season; the series follows a martial arts prodigy who immigrates from China to San Francisco and is set during the Tong Wars in the late 1800s.

Just like that, 'Warrior' wins second season

SCREEN CAPTURE / WARRIOR

Andrew Koji is the lead role in 'Warrior,'  the Bruce Lee-inspired action series.

ASAM NEWS

After just three episodes, Cinemax has given the green light to Warrior for a second season, Deadline reported
The show from director Justin Lin and Banshee co-creator Jonathan Tropper is inspired by the late Bruce Lee, whose dream for the program died when his life was cut short.

The story is based on writings of the martial arts legend and pushed forward by his daughter, Shannon Lee.

“Bruce Lee’s vision is alive and well,” said Len Amato, president of HBO Films. “Warrior combines high-energy martial arts with wit and brains. We’re thrilled to renew such a great show for a second season on Cinemax.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a renewal after just three episodes is extremely quick. 

Warrior is set around the tong wars in Chinatown in the late 1800s. It's cast is dominated by Asian actors, that include Andrew Koji, Jason Tobin, Olivia Cheng and Dianne Doan.

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TGIF Feature: First reviews are in for Bruce Lee inspired 'Warrior'

The cast of 'Warrior'

Warrior, the television story that legendary martial artist Bruce Lee originally pitched to TV studios only to be turned down, will premiere tonight (April 5), on the Cinemax Network, 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The first reviews are in from critics who were given advance looks at the 6-episode season. The story is based in San Francisco's Chinatown in the late 1800s and stars a largely British Asian and Asian American cast.

(To read the complete review, click on the links.)

ROLLING STONE: A Bruce Lee vision brought to vivid life

The bushy period mustaches that many of the Irish and WASP characters wear obscure their mouths enough to occasionally create the illusion that they’re the ones speaking a foreign language and having their dialogue dubbed into English for the local marketplace. Whether intentional or not, it’s a nifty role reversal.

“These are strange fucking times,” Father Jun suggests. “The ducks think we’re less than human. We can’t own, we can’t vote, and yet somehow, we’re responsible for the economic woes of their entire nation.” (Editor's Note: In Warrior, Chinese refer to white people as "ducks.")

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: TV review

The martial arts will, of course, be the facet attracting the most general audience curiosity and the fights, from choreographer Brett Chan, aren't outsized wuxia-style fits of whimsy and exaggeration, nor laced with humor in the Jackie Chan vein. They're athletic and effective and take advantage whenever possible of what the actors are capable of doing with limited slo-motion embellishment or editing. They're also character-driven, so there's a smooth efficiency to Ah Sahm's fighting, a frenzied mania to Young Jun's attacks and when The Raid veteran Taslim gets going, that's when the show truly hums. There's a strong contrast between the fighting coming out of Chinatown and the brutal, bare-knuckle boxing that settles matters on the Irish side of town.

IGN: Series premiere review for new Bruce Lee martial arts drama

Fans of action won’t want to miss this energetic (if occasionally repetitive) series, which delves into a rough and colorful slice of American history with verve, intelligence, and memorable fists of fury.

TV GUIDE: Cinemax 's martial arts drama is typical Cinemax (For better or worse)

Second, the cast of the series, which is also executive-produced by Justin Lin(The Fast and the Furious franchise) and Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee, is predominantly made up of Asians or Asian Americans actors. Representation in Hollywood, especially for the Asian community, remains limited, and Warrior is a show that works to elevate the Asian voices at the center of its story. The white supporting players appear not just dull in comparison, but sometimes feel like they exist in a different show. Between the all-too-familiar scheming of corrupt politicians, the young, pretty wife who can't stand the awful husband she married to save her family, and the drunk policemen with gambling addictions, the white men and women of Warrior are nothing we haven't seen before, and Warrior doesn't do much to add to their stories. Which is honestly fine in this instance; they're not the stars of the show.

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Ode to Bruce Lee: 'Warrior' hopefully makes up for 'Kung Fu'

WARRIOR

Actor Andrew Koji plays lead character Ah Sahm in the upcoming television series 'Warrior/'

Little known fact: I once auditioned for Kung Fu, the TV series starring David Carradine.

In 1975, I still had dreams of becoming a screenwriter. I had a writing agent and submitted several ideas for Streets of San Francisco, which was also filming in the city at the time, and other projects -- all with Asian themes.

I didn't consider myself an actor and I make not claims to having any acting talent. I had no formal training (although I did attend the first class conducted by actor Rene Auberjunois which I promptly dropped at Cal) and only appeared in one movie because I was a friend of the director.

Kung Fu was in its third season and apparently, had used up all the known Asian American actors in Hollywood and was in search for new faces. 

My writing agent suggested to the Kung Fu talent scout that he see me. He knew I had some martial arts training and had an 8X10 headshot of me, just in case I sold a script and hit it big. Yeah, we both had high hopes back then.

The auditions were being held in my agent's agency's office, so I trekked my way into San Francisco.

I let the secretary know I was there for the audition. Mind you I had never auditioned for anything in my life. I fancied myself a writer. Being young and naive, I said to myself, "What the hell."

The search for new faces, apparently wasn't going too well, I surmised since I was the only "actor" there for the audition.

Finally, I went in and met the talent scout. He was friendly enough: broad smile, firm handshake and with the upbeat air you'd expect from Hollywood  He handed me a page of a script and asked me to read some lines with him reading the other parts.

I did the best I could, but I knew I was not "feeling" it.

The scout said, "Great, great. That was very good," in an attempt to get me over my nervousness and put me at ease. I thank him for that.

But then, he said, "Can you say the ilnes again with an accent?"

What? The only accent I knew how to imitate was a Filipino accent since I grew up with a community of Filipino American elders, mostly World War II veterans.

I knew what he wanted though. He wanted me to either use a sing-song accent, or a strong, clipped accent like the one used by the Asian American actors that appeared in the Kung Fu series that took place in the American West in the late 1800s.

I opted to imitate the strange accent used by David Carradine, the star of the Bruce Lee-inspired series.

I closed my eyes, imagining myself as the Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine. I went for it.

I knew I had blown the audition despite the enthusiastic scout's encouraging words ending with the dreaded, "You'll hear from us."

As expected, I wasn't surprised I never again heard from the scout or the series. The TV series. Kung Fu was cancelled two months later. David Carradine claimed he had sustained too many bruises and injuries to continue. But the real reason was the ratings were down.

I write all this because Warrior, a new series inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee will debut this April 5 on the Cinemax network. It is about a martial arts-trained warrior who arrives in during the Tong Wars of 1800's San Francisco and will feature a predominantly Asian cast who have the acting talent that I lacked.

The story behind the story, says that Lee, who had starred as Kato, the martial artist/chauffeur of the Green Arrow, submitted a script about a Shaolin monk wandering the old West doing good deeds and kicking the hell out of bad guys. The networks rejected his idea, but lo and behold, a year later, Kung Fu was developed starring a white guy doing Yellow Face.

Warrior, is based on the notes of Bruce Lee. His daughter Shannon Lee and Asian American director Justin Lin are among the executive producers.

Ironically, while the white actors in the new series will speak English appropriate to the time period, the Asian actors will speak English with a contemporary tone -- an apparent nod to the show's producers and the #NoWhiteWashing and #NoYellowface movements.

I harbor no resentment towards anyone associated with the old Kung Fu show, including that talent scout who auditioned me, but to them all, I can only say: "Accent? My ass!"

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Bruce Lee's 'Warrior' TV series looks awesome

Here's a first look at the official trailer for the upcoming Warrior series inspired by the notes of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee and -- I can't wait -- it looks awesome.

Set at the times of the Tong Wars in the late 1800s in San Francisco, the series follows a martial arts prodigy originating in China who moves to San Francisco and ends up becoming a hatchet man for the most powerful tong in Chinatown.

“As Warrior comes together, I can’t help but feel the pride of correcting a wrong and helping bring Bruce Lee’s dream project to life,” said director Justin Lin. “We have assembled a cast of incredible actors from all over the world including our talented lead, Andrew Koji, an exciting discovery out of the UK," Lin told Deadline.

“The martial arts genre a lot of times has been relegated to B-level action. And that’s not something we wanted to do. Going off of Bruce Lee’s original material, we wanted to build something that is character-driven, that has important themes and that also takes place in a part of American history that rarely gets talked about. That to me makes it something you haven’t seen before.”

From what we've seen, the martial arts action could rival that of Into the Badlands, which takes place in a dystopian future of America and stars Daniel Wu.

The premiere on the Cinemax network is set for April 5 and has initially been set for 10 episodes. Gearing up for the Warrior's premiere, Cinemax produced this great little 4-minute documentary on the iconic Bruce Lee. Enjoy!

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Teaser released for Bruce Lee's 'Warrior' television series

CINEMAX

Andrew Koji will play the lead character in 'Warrior.'

IT LOOKS like another Asian-themed TV series with Asian/Asian American characters is going to be a hit based on its pedigree and a 'teaser' trailer released last week. 

Cinemax just released a "Teaser" of Warrior series that will hit the small screen in 2019 and it looks powerful.

Justin Lin (Fast & Furious), who is co-executive producer with Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee, will be directing some of the episodes (but, not the pilot) Here's the official synopsis:

“Inspired by an idea from martial-arts legend Bruce Lee, this gritty, action- packed crime drama is set during the brutal Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. Filming in Cape Town, South Africa, it follows a martial arts prodigy who immigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances, and becomes a hatchet man for one of Chinatown’s most powerful organized crime families. Produced for CINEMAX by Perfect Storm Entertainment, Tropper Ink Productions and Bruce Lee Entertainment; created and executive produced by Jonathan Tropper under Tropper Ink Productions; Justin Lin and Danielle Woodrow executive produce on behalf of Perfect Storm Entertainment; Shannon Lee executive produces for Bruce Lee Entertainment.”

The late martial arts icon, Bruce Lee, had created the project for Warner Bros. but the studio, saddled with a lack of imagination, rejected it. He kept the rejected project in the family garage and the treatment was considered lost. The project was meant to serve as a precursor to a the 1970s Warner Bros. television series “Kung Fu,” which was also Bruce Lee's idea but, we know how that racist miscasting went.

“As Warrior comes together, I can’t help but feel the pride of correcting a wrong and helping bring Bruce Lee’s dream project to life,” Lin told Deadline. “We have assembled a cast of incredible actors from all over the world including our talented lead, Andrew Koji, an exciting discovery out of the UK."

“The martial arts genre a lot of times has been relegated to B-level action," addied Lin. "And that’s not something we wanted to do. Going off of Bruce Lee’s original material, we wanted to build something that is character-driven, that has important themes and that also takes place in a part of American history that rarely gets talked about. That to me makes it something you haven’t seen before.”

According to Deadline, the cast includes Andrew Koji as Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who travels from China to San Francisco and ends up becoming a hatchet man for the most powerful tong in Chinatown; Olivia Cheng as Ah Toy, Chinatown’s most accomplished courtesan and madame; Jason Tobin as Young Jun, the hard-partying son of a powerful tong boss; Dianne Doan as Mai Ling, a beautiful and ruthless Chinese woman who, through sheer force of will, has achieved a position of power in one of the tongs; Kieran Bew as Officer “Big Bill” O’Hara, a hard-drinking Irish cop charged with forming a Chinatown squad; and Dean Jagger as Dan Leary, the unofficial godfather of the Irish community of San Francisco and leader of the Workingmen’s party.

Shannon Lee told the Los Angeles Times that she was excited to see where the show was headed. “Season 1 is just the beginning. We’ll hopefully get the opportunity to play the long game here and really get into some extremely interesting stuff, which we already have planned.”

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