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| Donnie Yen and Shannon Lee in Talks to Expand Bruce Lee’s Role in Future Ip Man Movie (Photo: MP |
Donnie Yen is clearly not done with the Ip Man universe just yet — and this time, he wants Bruce Lee right at the heart of the story. The martial arts superstar, who has embodied Ip Man on screen for over a decade, has revealed fresh plans to push the franchise in a new direction.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Bruce Lee 85th Birthday Memorial Exhibition: The Way of the Formless”, Yen confirmed he’s currently in talks with Shannon Lee, daughter of the legendary Bruce Lee, to give Lee a significantly expanded role in an upcoming Ip Man project.
For long-time fans, Bruce Lee’s presence in the series isn’t new. He first popped up with a brief cameo in Ip Man 3 before returning as a supporting character in Ip Man 4: The Finale, portrayed by Danny Chan Kwok-kwan.
But Yen’s latest comments suggest the team wants to go way beyond cameos or side appearances — they’re eyeing a narrative where Bruce Lee stands centre-stage.
A New Direction for the Franchise
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According to Yen, the next project aims to explore Bruce Lee’s story and his bond with Ip Man on a much deeper level.
Whether that means diving into their teacher-student dynamic, Lee’s early journey in the United States, or the evolution of his martial arts philosophy, fans can expect the most substantial Bruce Lee storyline the series has ever attempted.
Yen spoke warmly about Lee’s influence on him, recalling how he grew up mimicking Lee’s moves and even practised with a broomstick as makeshift nunchaku.
“He made kung fu films feel real and completely changed cinematic language,” Yen said. He explained that he has been in active discussion with Shannon Lee to ensure the portrayal is respectful, authentic, and meaningful. He’s hoping to push the project forward as soon as next year.
Shannon Lee, for her part, appears fully on board. She praised Yen’s sincerity and said she is “looking forward to a new collaboration,” signalling strong support for the idea.
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Why This Collaboration Matters
While the Ip Man films typically present a steady and respectful relationship between Ip Man and Bruce Lee, historical accounts paint a slightly more complicated picture.
Reports have long suggested short periods of tension — particularly around Lee’s offer to buy his teacher a luxury house in exchange for filming full Wing Chun wooden dummy techniques, an offer Ip Man famously turned down.
There were also whispers in martial arts circles about Lee’s creation of Jeet Kune Do being viewed as a departure from traditional Wing Chun thinking.
But Ip Man’s eldest son, Ip Chun, has repeatedly stepped in to dismantle the more dramatic narratives.
He clarified that his father refused the house simply because he didn’t want to commercialise martial arts, not due to conflict.
He also noted that Ip Man never criticised Bruce Lee for founding his own system and would even ask Lee to show him the boxing techniques he’d learned in America.
This nuance — often lost in pop-culture portrayals — could be exactly what the new film dives into.
What Fans Can Expect
Donnie Yen’s comments make one thing clear: this isn’t just another instalment.
It’s a chance to reshape how Bruce Lee fits into the Ip Man mythology on screen, potentially creating the most emotionally layered and historically grounded chapter of the series yet.
If the project moves forward as planned, it could deliver a fresh perspective on one of the most iconic teacher-student relationships in martial arts cinema — with both families directly involved in shaping the vision.
Source: Mingpao