Bruce Lee could have starred in a thrilling martial arts film reminiscent of the John Wick movies. Released in 1973 – the same year as Enter the Dragon – A Man Called Tiger was a Hong Kong action film directed by Lo Wei, who also directed Lee’s early hits, The Big Boss and Fist of Fury.
Taking place in 20th-century Japan, A Man Called Tiger features martial arts icon Jimmy Wang Yu as Chin Fu, a skilled kung fu master who single-handedly fights to avenge his father’s death and overcome a dangerous Japanese gang. While now considered one of Jimmy Wang Yu’s greatest roles, Bruce Lee was originally considered for the part.
Bruce Lee Was Supposed To Star In A Man Called Tiger
Matthew Polly’s biography of Bruce Lee reveals that A Man Called Tiger was originally planned as the star’s third film with director Lo Wei at Golden Harvest studio. However, Bruce Lee didn’t want to make it. He was determined to direct, star in, and write his own movie, which eventually became Way of the Dragon.
According to Polly’s book, this ambition arose mainly because Bruce Lee was becoming increasingly competitive with Jimmy Wang Yu. Wang Yu had revolutionized martial arts films in 1970 with The Chinese Boxer, a movie he wrote, directed, and starred in. It’s believed this inspired Bruce Lee to pursue a similar opportunity to prove himself.
Although Bruce Lee decided to make his own martial arts movie, Lo Wei still went ahead with his project. He cast Jimmy Wang Yu in the role originally intended for Lee. According to Polly, this wasn’t accidental – Lo Wei likely chose Wang Yu specifically to upset Lee.
A Man Called Tiger Is An Underrated Martial Arts Classic
It’s clear the film A Man Called Tiger would likely be more famous today if Bruce Lee had been in it. However, the movie still succeeds thanks to Jimmy Wang Yu, who powerfully portrays Chin Fu and makes him a truly memorable character.
While Jimmy Wang Yu wasn’t a martial arts master like Bruce Lee in real life, he became famous for playing determined, revenge-driven fighters in films such as The One-Armed Swordsman and The Chinese Boxer. These roles perfectly suited him, portraying characters who wouldn’t hesitate to kill their opponents.
Similar to the relentless action Keanu Reeves delivers in the John Wick films, Wang Yu’s character in A Man Called Tiger powerfully defeats numerous gangsters with brutal efficiency. A striking visual element is his suit, which starts pristine white but is covered in blood by the end of the film, highlighting the intense violence.
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2026-02-28 08:09