Bruce Lee Biopic 'Birth Of The Dragon' Filming In SF This WeekPhoto: Wikipedia
Geri Koeppel
Published on January 07, 2016

A new biopic about legendary martial artist Bruce Lee is filming in San Francisco this week. Titled Birth of the Dragon, it's the story of the famed 1965 fight between Lee, then 25, and Shaolin Master Wong Jack Man. George Nolfi, writer of Ocean's Twelve and The Bourne Ultimatum, is directing, with Hong Kong martial arts star Philip Ng as Lee.

According to the San Francisco Film Commission, shooting on the film began yesterday and will continue through Monday. Lincoln Park Golf Course, near the Legion of Honor, was the shooting site yesterday, and will continue today. From there, the production will move to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien-National Liberty Ship Memorial at Fisherman's Wharf. The final shoots will take place in Chinatown—on Spofford Street, one of the neighborhood's alleys, and near Grant Avenue and California Street.

A tweet shows another Dragon-related filming notice, for Leavenworth & Union and Leavenworth & Grant from 7am–2pm Saturday:

According to the notice, vehicles from the 1960s, the era in which the film is set, will be placed in the vicinity.

"The 75-year-old Wong, who remained silent about the fight for many years, currently lives in the Bay Area, and retired from teaching martial arts in 2005 after 45 years," says an article on Comingsoon.net. He'll be played in the film by Chinese actor Yu Xia (In the Heat of the Sun, The Painted Veil), with Tony Award nominee Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods, Bridge of Spies) as Steve McKee, a young martial arts student torn between the two fighters. 

If you see any shooting activity or have more information, send photos and details to our tipline.