Bruce Lee role in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ brings pressure for Mike Moh – ‘it’s a fine line’
- Martial arts star Mike Moh steals the show in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ cameo – but says portraying Lee on screen has responsibilities
- ‘Especially in a Quentin Tarantino film, where the unexpected is expected, it could totally be something that is a little too much’
Stepping into Bruce Lee’s shoes on the silver screen is a daunting challenge – and the latest actor to do it has given some fascinating insight on the responsibilities that come with portraying such an Asian icon.
Mike Moh plays Lee in Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood, the latest opus from maverick filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, which has opened to rave reviews this week.
The film features an all-star cast including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie – but it is fifth degree taekwondo black belt Moh in his cameo as the “Little Dragon” that steals the show in a fight scene with Pitt’s protagonist Cliff Booth (be warned: spoilers lie ahead).
“That was us. Quentin was adamant both of us do the fight,” the Korean-American said on Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast after the world premiere of the film earlier this week. “We both had our stunt doubles, and they helped us immensely throughout the training process, working the choreography. So it took an entire team effort but that’s me and Brad up there trading.”
Booth dispatches Lee by throwing him into a car door, after nullifying his jeet kune do moves – and some have suggested it is slightly disrespectful to the martial arts legend’s legacy.
