Jackie Chan‘s struggle with Bruce Lee clone role in New Fist of Fury reveals a unique turning point in martial arts cinema, exposing how Chan was cast against type in 1976 under director Lo Wei’s vision for the film. The movie not only forced Chan into a character almost modeled after Bruce Lee but also came at a time when Hong Kong’s film industry was searching for a successor to the kung fu legend.
How Jackie Chan Was Cast in a Role Meant to Imitate Bruce Lee
In the world of martial arts films, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan stand as the genre’s biggest stars, yet their approaches to roles could not be more different. Bruce Lee was known for infusing his characters with seriousness, intensity, and a relentless fighting spirit, while Jackie Chan traditionally portrayed relatable, humorous, and skilled everyman heroes. This clear difference became an issue in New Fist of Fury, Chan’s first starring role, released in 1976 as a sequel to Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury, and directed by Lo Wei.
Lo Wei had previously worked with Bruce Lee on both Fist of Fury and The Big Boss, and had a clear intention to shape Chan in the same mold. Chan later reflected on this period in his career, describing being labeled “Bruce Lee the Second” and expressing his deep discomfort with the change. According to Chan, Lo Wei planned to
“turn me into Bruce Lee the Second.”
—Jackie Chan, Actor
The role itself was a drastic departure for Chan, forcing him into the shoes of a
“cold-blooded, rage-filled killer who sought revenge only.”
—Jackie Chan, Actor This archetype fit Bruce Lee’s cinematic style but was far removed from the charm and humor that would later define Chan’s career. Despite Chan voicing his misgivings to a producer and feeling miscast, his objections were not acknowledged, setting him on a path he did not choose.
Discontent on Set and Challenges in Shaping a Unique Identity
Jackie Chan recounts a difficult filming experience that highlighted his misfit in the role. His self-doubt grew after overhearing voice actors in the dubbing booth critiquing his performance and appearance, a situation that left him feeling dejected. These early warning signs became reality with the film’s release; Chan himself described his portrayal as “unconvincing and stiff.” Faced with a binding studio contract, he was obligated to continue taking on similar roles in subsequent films, unable to show the comedic improvisation that eventually led to his breakthrough performances in Drunken Master and Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow under a new studio.
The supporting cast in New Fist of Fury included Nora Miao as Mao Li Er, Chan Sing as Okimura, and Henry Luk Yat-Lung as Lon Si Chun. The story follows a brother and sister escaping Japanese-occupied Shanghai, seeking refuge at their grandfather’s kung fu school in Taiwan, where they encounter conflict with a Japanese martial arts master aiming for dominance. This plot was typical of kung fu revenge dramas of the time, designed to echo the style and tension made famous by Bruce Lee.
The Bruceploitation Wave and Its Effect on Hong Kong Cinema
New Fist of Fury was not an isolated case but part of a greater movement within the Hong Kong film industry following Bruce Lee’s 1973 death. Studios rapidly sought to replicate Lee’s impact, often by casting performers who physically resembled Bruce Lee and instructing them to adopt his martial arts techniques and screen persona, rather than encouraging originality. This industry-wide approach led to what became known as the “Bruceploitation” phase, spawning a series of imitators such as Bruce Le and Bruce Li, most of whom never achieved the same recognition or escaped Lee’s overwhelming shadow.
The attempt to engineer another Bruce Lee through actors like Jackie Chan represents a significant moment in martial arts cinema history, one marked by creative uncertainty and intense industry pressure. Jackie Chan, though initially forced into this mold, would eventually break free, developing a groundbreaking style that blended kinesthetic comedy with fighting skill—helping him rise as one of the only performers to escape the long shadow of Bruce Lee.
While New Fist of Fury stands today as a lesser-known entry in Chan’s filmography, it underscores the enduring influence of Bruce Lee and a tumultuous period for actors attempting to craft their own identities. Chan’s experience reveals the challenges of navigating studio expectations and the struggle to develop an authentic career path in the wake of a cinematic icon’s legacy.
