Brandon Lee is remembered for his role in The Crow, but his first film was the 1986 Hong Kong crime thriller Legacy of Rage, directed by Ronny Yu. The film follows a naive young man, played by Lee, who is framed for murder by his best friend, portrayed by Michael Wong, who also covets Lee’s girlfriend. This tense storyline set the stage for Lee’s debut in Hong Kong cinema.
In the mid-1980s, D&B Films sought to appeal to an international audience by casting Lee, Bruce Lee’s son, despite Brandon not speaking Chinese. Ronny Yu, a fan of Bruce Lee, saw potential in Brandon and convinced him to take the role. However, Brandon initially resisted, reluctant to follow in his father’s martial arts footsteps, preferring to be recognized for his acting rather than his fighting skills.
While Brandon did perform his own stunts, he was hesitant about the martial arts scenes, leading to the use of doubles in some sequences. The film’s martial arts choreographer, Mang Hoi, who idolized Bruce Lee, was initially disappointed by Brandon’s reluctance, but they eventually found common ground by focusing on action scenes involving guns.
Brandon’s co-stars, including Michael Wong and Regina Kent, played a significant role in making him feel comfortable on set, as they spoke English, which eased communication. Brandon and Michael Wong developed a strong rapport, contributing to the film’s dynamic performances. Michael’s role as a well-dressed villain was innovative for Hong Kong cinema at the time, as villains were typically not portrayed as handsome, yuppie-like figures.
Legacy of Rage stands out for its impressive action scenes, including a record-breaking shootout at the film’s climax. The pyrotechnics were managed by a UK expert, a first for Hong Kong films.
The movie performed well in Hong Kong, running for three weeks and earning Brandon a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Though he never made another film in Hong Kong, focusing instead on Hollywood, Legacy of Rage remains a testament to his early talent. The film is often underrated but showcases Brandon’s dramatic depth and action skills, foreshadowing his later success in The Crow.
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