Remake Enter the Dragon???say it aint so scooby!

[Lucas]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117969988.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

I for one am against it.

[Lucas]

ok after calming down a bit....

it MIGHT....MIGHT...be cool.

if done properly and due credit is given as a remake in loving memory of Bruce Lee.

otherwise it will be super cheese

[The Xia]

One of the things I like about "Enter the Dragon" is its 70s charm, so it's awkward for me to envision a modern version. I think it might still work if given the right direction, script, acting, etc. I can picture one thing that will sink it in my eyes, if they try hard to be "hip." Since the link says it will be contemporized, I think that may be a possibly pitfall. I hope that the speedos and armbar in the original doesn't give them the idea to inject MMA into it. :D :rolleyes:

[Lucas]

One of the things I like about "Enter the Dragon" is its 70s charm, so it's awkward for me to envision a modern version. I think it might still work if given the right direction, script, acting, etc. I can picture one thing that will sink it in my eyes, if they try hard to be "hip." Since the link says it will be contemporized, I think that may be a possibly pitfall. I hope that the speedos and armbar in the original doesn't give them the idea to inject MMA into it. :D :rolleyes:

lol

ya, its totally one of those that you will have to wait and see. its going to be near impossible to give it the same feel as the original.

[mickey]

Greetings,

I hope the Asian community sees through this crap and absolutely REFUSE to cooperate with this film on any level.

Enter the Dragon was the only film where Bruce Lee played a VILLAIN. His character was a puppet/agent/hitman whose objective was to destroy Han's operation for those "interested," unnamed, parties who would eventually come in and do the same thing Han was doing all along. These people, again unnamed, were jealous of Han's $ucce$$ and wanted to take it over (you really have to read between the lines during the Lee/Braithwaite dialogue to understand what was going on). So, Lee's character also disgraced Shaolin. What was interesting was that Lee's film character in Enter the Dragon was not viewed as a positive one in Hong Kong: he was working for THE MAN.

Enter the Dragon was not, in any way, an original movie. Scenes from this flick were lifted from two wrestling movies that were made during the '60s.


mickey

[Jimbo]

What I can't understand is, why does everything need to be remade these days? The remakes are (IMO) never up to the standards of the originals, and when you "modernize" things, you make it into something it isn't. So why can't they think of something that's actually original?

Enter the Dragon (ETD) was the success it was because of mainly two things: The time period when it was filmed/released; and Bruce Lee.

These days, a guy like Han would be picked off easily with all the technology of offing someone at a distance. Plus, part of the movie's charm is the fact that it's so dated. Almost all the henchmen look like 98-pound kids, and now it seems kinda funny when Bolo flexes his muscles and struts around killing the 4 (comparatively) weak little guards. Even Bolo himself isn't that big by today's standards. But it's one of those movies that many have seen so many times you know the script and each scene by heart.

The basic concept has already been done to death, mainly in Van Damme's older films. And the film itself was based on the James Bond film Dr. No.

[SanSoo Student]

As stated above, it is just rediculous to remake a kung fu classic. It is classic for a reason (action jackson with an Afro) and yea only is novel because you practised martial arts as a kid or had a friend that did, or another friend that liked to sneak into those cheap showings of cheesy kung fu movies. It is cool because it is a childhood memory.

Those lines in the beginning when Bruce Lee is "philosophizing" was only classic in my eyes because my MA friends and I would make fun of it after Kung Fu class. I really don't think kids these days develop novelty as everything must be hip, fake and flashy. Instead of wide-shots, guys that can actually choreography MA, and Bruce Lee...you will have twitchy camera syndrome, CG, and overly poor action movie.

[The Xia]

lol

ya, its totally one of those that you will have to wait and see. its going to be near impossible to give it the same feel as the original.
So it looks like only myself and PangQuan are willing to give it a chance?

[The Xia]

Greetings,

I hope the Asian community sees through this crap and absolutely REFUSE to cooperate with this film on any level.
Huh? :confused:
Enter the Dragon was the only film where Bruce Lee played a VILLAIN. His character was a puppet/agent/hitman whose objective was to destroy Han's operation for those "interested," unnamed, parties who would eventually come in and do the same thing Han was doing all along. These people, again unnamed, were jealous of Han's $ucce$$ and wanted to take it over (you really have to read between the lines during the Lee/Braithwaite dialogue to understand what was going on). So, Lee's character also disgraced Shaolin. What was interesting was that Lee's film character in Enter the Dragon was not viewed as a positive one in Hong Kong: he was working for THE MAN.
I thought he was working for the govt. to shut down Han's operation.
Enter the Dragon was not, in any way, an original movie. Scenes from this flick were lifted from two wrestling movies that were made during the '60s.


mickey
I didn't know that. Which movies were those?

[unkokusai]

I hope the Asian community sees through this crap and absolutely REFUSE to cooperate with this film on any level.



What the hell are you talkin' about?

[unkokusai]

Enter the Dragon was the only film where Bruce Lee played a VILLAIN.

What the hell are you talkin' about?

[sanjuro_ronin]

In terms of the whole "MA championship on some remote place" there have already been many "remakes" of Enter the Dragon.

[GeneChing]

Who could possibly step into the little dragon's shoes for this? It would only work for me if Pam Anderson took over the role. Pam as a rogue Shaolin nun. I'm totally serious.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Who could possibly step into the little dragon's shoes for this? It would only work for me if Pam Anderson took over the role. Pam as a rogue Shaolin nun. I'm totally serious.

Donnie yen.

[mickey]

Greetings,

unkokusai:

The new synopsis suggests a resurgence of an old American Imperialist mndset that we just do not need anymore. Notice, they are looking for an American actor, as opposed to an Asian or Asian American actor to play the lead. I may be jumping the gun with my feelings.

unkokusai and The Xia:

Yes, the Lee character was a villain. Though, the heart of the character may have been noble, he was being used.


The two wrestling films that were used as a template for Enter the Dragon were "Superargo and the Faceless Mask" and "Superargo Versus Diabolico"


mickey

[Lucas]

Who could possibly step into the little dragon's shoes for this? It would only work for me if Pam Anderson took over the role. Pam as a rogue Shaolin Nacho Cheese Covered Ninjetta Nun (tm). I'm totally serious.

there ya go.

[GeneChing]

Are you saying you wouldn't watch that? Come on now. Be honest. ;)

[Nebuchadnezzar]

So it looks like only myself and PangQuan are willing to give it a chance?

No, I say let's see how it goes. How many of the people who object to the remake were even around when the original was made?

How many of you heard of Bruce Lee prior to 1980? I mean actually knew not second hand or told about him by older siblings or parents?

[mickey]

Greetings,

I was around when Bruce played a VILLAIN. His character beat up and killed an old, one handed man, who was just trying to make a little money for himself. :)



mickey

[SenseiShellie]

Greetings,

I was around when Bruce played a VILLAIN. His character beat up and killed an old, one handed man, who was just trying to make a little money for himself. :)



mickey

Did we seriously watch the same movie? If so, what were you smoking to have such a different perspective on the movie?

[NJM]

Yes, the Lee character was a villain. Though, the heart of the character may have been noble, he was being used.

Elaborate. How is working for a secret organization to help destroy an evil organization casting Bruce as a Villian? The interested parties were probably a government, not another organized crime setup.

[mickey]

Greetings,

I suggest you go back to the Lee/Braithwaite interview in ETD, where Lee is shown the film footage.

Braithwaite makes mention of interested parties, not concerned parties. If it was a government it should have been disclosed. The Lee character was foolish to work for people whose agenda he knew absolutely nothing about. That is more like the lifestyle of a contract killer.

The viewer makes the assumption that there is a secret government/organization with an honorable agenda that needs Lee's help in dealing with Han; but, these people may be just as thug as any other. Only their methods differ.

Check out the Lee/Braithwaite dialogue. Would you take that mission for unnamed parties who have an interest in this situation?



mickey

[Black Jack II]

The new synopsis suggests a resurgence of an old American Imperialist mndset that we just do not need anymore.

For the love of fake tits, whatever, this is so a joke post.

[GeneChing]

...if Pamela is in it. ;)

Lee's character is a villain the same way James Bond or the IMF in Mission Impossible are villains. If you really think about Black Ops Hitmen, they're pretty villainous. If you read the original Bond books, Bond is not nearly so heroic (this is accentuated by Ian Fleming's blatant racism). However, given the context of this fantasy films, calling Lee a villain in ETD is somewhat absurd. It's not like Jet in Lethal Weapon 4.

[NJM]

Greetings,

I suggest you go back to the Lee/Braithwaite interview in ETD, where Lee is shown the film footage.

Braithwaite makes mention of interested parties, not concerned parties. If it was a government it should have been disclosed. The Lee character was foolish to work for people whose agenda he knew absolutely nothing about. That is more like the lifestyle of a contract killer.

The viewer makes the assumption that there is a secret government/organization with an honorable agenda that needs Lee's help in dealing with Han; but, these people may be just as thug as any other. Only their methods differ.

Check out the Lee/Braithwaite dialogue. Would you take that mission for unnamed parties who have an interest in this situation?

mickey

Explain this to me. Why would the "interested parties" need proof that Han had weapons to move in on the island? Couldn't another crime syndicate just **** up the operation themselves? Since they "know everything" why would the criminal organizations need Lee to get evidence of Han's weapon, drug or slave stash? Redundant, don't you think? Your theory seems like a stretch, Mickey.

Here are the quotes from the dialogue relevant to the nature of the "interested parties":

“We know everything; we can prove nothing. We want you to go in there as our agent, get us our evidence.”

“Han’s island rests partly within our territorial waters. If we were given the slightest reason to believe that he has any kind of arsenal, we’d move in on him.”

“We aren’t an agency of enforcement. We function as… gatherers of information, evidence, upon which interested governments can act.”

[PunkRockMantis]

Re make city has got to cool it off a bit ( especially after seeing the trailer for Halloween this morning....is it charles manson...or is it Micheal Myeres..gimmie a flerkin break)
If they are going to re do any of Bruce Lee's films do the one that is in need of it..."Game of Death" the original plot Bruce wrote out for it is good i think it would make a great flick.
from the article that was linked it says this:

"Sutter said he's writing "Awaken the Dragon" as a contemporized drama about a lone FBI agent who pursues a rogue Shaolin monk into the bloody world of underground martial arts fight clubs.:confused:
" we already saw "Bloodsport" and i feel basically it's going to be a 90 minute commercial for the UFC, Pride and other Martial Art based programs,not that im against those shows or MMA.
instead of some one who follows the right Shaolin path, seeking out some one who has used Shaolins teaching for personal gain, corruption and financial gain..an FBI agent is going to be going after some big name actor brought in to put people in seats .plus the whole FBI agent thing got me worried, two words keep popping into my head when i read that, those words "BEN AFFLECK" (yaaaaar) also, If John Saxon is not going to reprise is role as "ROPER" fuggetabout it !
to me Enter The Dragon is not in need of any improvement or needs to be remade

[sanjuro_ronin]

Ben Assfleck, get it right.

[unkokusai]

This thread is embarrassing to read. Got a real 'star trek' convention feel to it.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Someone needs a double axe hammer to the jaw.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Greetings,

I suggest you go back to the Lee/Braithwaite interview in ETD, where Lee is shown the film footage.

Braithwaite makes mention of interested parties, not concerned parties. If it was a government it should have been disclosed. The Lee character was foolish to work for people whose agenda he knew absolutely nothing about. That is more like the lifestyle of a contract killer.

The viewer makes the assumption that there is a secret government/organization with an honorable agenda that needs Lee's help in dealing with Han; but, these people may be just as thug as any other. Only their methods differ.

Check out the Lee/Braithwaite dialogue. Would you take that mission for unnamed parties who have an interest in this situation?



mickey

Are you saying George Bush is running an evil organization? :D

He and his staff always say, "In the interest of the American Government" or "In the interest of the American people". :)

You ever heard of "Black Operations"?

[Jimbo]

I was around when Enter the Dragon was made. I'm in my mid-40s. I also watched the original Green Hornet when it was in its original TV run with my older brother in the mid-late 1960s.

I'm not an ETD geek; I simply believe a remake would not work.

[jethro]

I have heard about a remake for Avenging eagle, Come Drink with Me, A Touch of Zen, One armed Swordsman, and now this. They all sound stupid to me. Hopefully Donnie Yen's Flashpoint will show people that you can still do a low budget movie that is highly successful in the box office. You have to put effort into it!

[mickey]

Greetings,

Nebuchadnezzar,

You are beginning to catch on. :) For a moment, I thought there was no hope left for the world considering some of the responses I was getting. It was like I spat in the face of Jesus.


Gene,

Yes, James Bond is a VILLAIN as well. The only difference is that he knows who he is working for. The Lee character in ETD fell for the B.S. that was served to him by Braithwaite (Nebuchadnezzar, think about how we ended up in Iraq-- same modus operandi).

And only Nebuchadnezzar caught on to the method of my rant?

Haliburton anyone?


mickey

[GeneChing]

Can you imagine an ETD convention? We could all dress up like Bruce or Han or Roper. Where's Anna Capri?

I'd be too busy looking good. ;)

[Jimbo]

I think a lot of the reason ETD wasn't very popular in HK is that Lee's character had a stunted personality and of course WAS a tool of the British. Oddly enough, James Bond seemed very popular there, and the theater where I saw View to a Kill in 1985 was jam-packed. I heard his most successful films over there were Chinese Connection (actually titled Fist of Fury) and Return of the Dragon (orig. title: Way of the Dragon). The fights in those were much better staged and filmed than in ETD, with its choppy American-style editing and extreme close-ups that cut off much of the action. When I went to a theatrical re-release of Way of the Dragon in HK, also in '85, it actually drew quite a few people.

Gene:
I'd rather have Betty Chung ("the owner of this dart") than Ahna Capri. :D

[doug maverick]

And now to play devils advocate I think if it written casted correctly etd remake would be good(note its already been remade seriously stop b!tching; mortal komabt 1 anyone) I remember when killbill was announced everybody(including myself) was up in arms about saying it was going to be horrible blah blah blah. Then after it came the same people(including myself) praised the movie. That taught me something and something I’ll always keep with me I’ll never judge a film until I see it and I’ll say that for this one when and if it comes out I’ll see it just like the rest of you and if it sucks I’ll bash it like it was rush hour three but if its good I’ll praise it. So all I’m saying is wait till the **** thing comes out.

[Lucas]

Are you saying you wouldn't watch that? Come on now. Be honest. ;)

you just try and stop me!

[TenTigers]

what they should do, is remake Circle of Iron (The Silent Flute)
and put David Carradine in the pot of oil. (he deserves it)

[BruceSteveRoy]

i have been thinking about this for a while now. there are certain movies that are considered by many to be classic to a genre. I think it is too risky to remake certain films. this is one of them. its like trying to remake the original star wars trilogy. there is a) just no need and b) too much risk of alienating the fans of the original.

however, there will always be someone who says "this could make a fortune" with no reguard to the integrity. that being the case if they do remake ETD i think they should cast stephen chow in the leading role. it would be cool to see him in a serious role. i have only ever seen him do action/comedy. plus he has the look. just my thoughts on it.

[GeneChing]

And in our SF Chron (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/16/entertainment/e075113D68.DTL&hw=enter+the+dragon&sn=001&sc=1000) this morning, more of the AP release:
Lee's `Enter the Dragon' to Get Remake
Thursday, August 16, 2007
(08-16) 07:51 PDT HONG KONG, China (AP) --

Bruce Lee's classic 1973 film, "Enter the Dragon," will be remade by Warner Bros.

The remake, to be titled "Awaken the Dragon," will be written and directed by Kurt Sutter, producer of "The Shield" TV series. It will be released by Warner Independent Pictures.

In an e-mail Thursday to The Associated Press, Warner Bros. publicist Laura Kim said the movie will tell the story of an FBI agent who investigates a Shaolin monk and underground kung fu fight clubs.

China's Shaolin Temple is renowned for its martial-arts tradition.

Kim declined to reveal the casting choices, budget or shooting schedule.

Lee played a kung fu fighter who infiltrates an island occupied by a rogue martial arts artist in "Enter the Dragon."

He died in 1973, at 32, from swelling of the brain.

Lee was known for movies in which he portrayed characters that defend the Chinese and the working class from oppressors.

He was born in San Francisco but grew up in Hong Kong, where he made his name as an actor.


I totally agree with you, TenTigers, on the Silent Flute remake. It'd be even better with Pamela Anderson.

[Design Sifu]

wasn't CIRCLE (http://imdb.com/title/tt0078975/) OF IRON (http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=3790&buy=open&PID=10126350&Tab=reviews&CID=18#tabs) the "remake" of the Silent Flute?

[PunkRockMantis]

Can you imagine an ETD convention? We could all dress up like Bruce or Han or Roper. Where's Anna Capri?

I'd be too busy looking good. ;)

that would be a convention of "EXTRA ORDINARY MAGNITUDE!!!!!!":D

[NJM]

that would be a convention of "EXTRA ORDINARY MAGNITUDE!!!!!!":D

Would Gene be playing our Bolo?

[GeneChing]

First of all, I'm way too scrawny to be Bolo. I was more thinking I'd be Han. Maybe I could get a special attachment like in Kentucky Fried Movie. :eek:

Circle of Iron was the only version. Silent Flute was the original title, but the project never made it to screen, allegedly due to some conflict between Lee and Coburn. Stirling Silliphant, who was involved with Lee for Longstreet and Marlowe picked up the script and redid it to feature Carridine. It was truly ironic, given the situation with Carridine and Lee for Kung Fu the TV show.

Here's more about Lee projects:

Another Bruce Lee film in the works: Formative years in Hong Kong focus of Kowloon City (http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2007/08/22/lee-bruce.html#skip300x250)
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | 12:00 PM ET

Chinese filmmakers continue to sign up for projects honouring U.S.-born martial arts star Bruce Lee with news Wednesday of a film based on his early life.

Fruit Chan, the Guangdong-born director of Made in Hong Kong, Durian Durian and Dumplings, has announced he will direct Kowloon City.

Set in 1950s Hong Kong, where Lee grew up with his family after they returned from the U.S., the film will follow the fortunes of Lee and another kung fu student, Chan told Chinese website Sina.com.

No actor has yet been cast to play Lee, said Chan, who works out of Hong Kong and is known for movies portraying Hong Kong's working class.

The film will be produced by John Woo's producer Terence Chang.

It is the latest in a series of announcements this year about projects centring on Lee or reprising his work.
Continue Article

Last week, Warner announced a remake of the Lee classic Enter the Dragon.

Another Hong Kong director, Stanley Kwan, has said he is negotiating with Lee's family to create a biopic exploring how Lee was influenced by the absence of his father.

China has announced its CCTV station will create a 40-part series on the action star's short life.

Lee died in 1973 of a cerebral edema at age 33. He played Kato in the Green Hornet TV series and helped develop a taste for martial arts action movies in North America with Enter the Dragon.

[mickey]

Greetings,

Wasn't Mortal Combat another ETD remake?

mickey

[Ben Gash]

Mickey is somewhat missing the point in that Lee's primary motivation is not one but two personal agendas. Han is a murdering, drug dealing slaver, so it's pretty hard to paint him as a victim. I think Mickey is yanking our chains.
OK, flame retardant suit on, Enter the Dragon is a BAD MOVIE. The plot is weak, the direction is terrible, the dialogue is attrocious, only half a dozen people in the entire film can fight. I need to be drunk and nostalgic to even watch it these days, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE as an introduction to martial arts cinema. The entire film is carried by Lee, his back injury must have been really playing up.
However, the basic concept does have some merit, and as such a reinvisioning could be good. This looks like it will be FAR from a straight remake, so I think we should wait and see, it could have some promise.

[mickey]

Ben Gash,

The Lee character still did not know who he was working for even though the character asked, "Who are 'We'?." He never got an answer. He got bamboozled.

Do you really think that the Han character would have been the only person on the planet doing that stuff at that time?


mickey

[Ben Gash]

Why do you say he was bamboozled? Maybe he just didn't care, just so long as they assisted him in his personal goals.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Mickey is somewhat missing the point in that Lee's primary motivation is not one but two personal agendas. Han is a murdering, drug dealing slaver, so it's pretty hard to paint him as a victim. I think Mickey is yanking our chains.
OK, flame retardant suit on, Enter the Dragon is a BAD MOVIE. The plot is weak, the direction is terrible, the dialogue is attrocious, only half a dozen people in the entire film can fight. I need to be drunk and nostalgic to even watch it these days, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE as an introduction to martial arts cinema. The entire film is carried by Lee, his back injury must have been really playing up.
However, the basic concept does have some merit, and as such a reinvisioning could be good. This looks like it will be FAR from a straight remake, so I think we should wait and see, it could have some promise.

I agree with you 100% about Enter The Dragon (except for the drunk part as I don't drink). Do you have an extra suit for me to put on? :cool:

[mickey]

Ben Gash,

I can accept that the character did not care. It does not make the character a hero. You know, there were no heroes in the movie at all, kinda like The Wild Bunch.


mickey