?It Will Outlive Me?: Bruce Lee Once Received ?Superstar Salary? From Warner Bros Under Bizarre Conditions

Leaving a mark on the world of martial arts and Hollywood, Bruce Lee lived a short but impactful life. The star was a disciplined trainer first before being an actor. Joining hands with Hollywood and consequently, Warner Bros contributed to one of the biggest cultural shifts in the country. With movies like Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee made his presence loud and clear. His tryst with Warner Bros had brought him a fixed payment, a certain set of movies by contract, creative freedom, and more.

Unfortunately, he didn’t live to see his legacy post that. Here’s a deep dive into the anecdote about the deal, according to his memoir, Bruce Lee a Life by Matthew Polly.

Bruce Lee and his big salary from Warner Bros

Lee’s health had already been declining. He had suffered a collapse while recording and looping lines in the studio, and doctors weren’t sure about the reason. This, combined with his urge to work hard with all his dedication made him seal one of his biggest decisions.

Not many knew about Lee’s collapse. But film production giant Warner Bros did. They decided to make him an offer that would entail him making five more movies with them. He gets $100,000 a year for as long as he or Linda should live. This sounded enticing enough for the martial arts legend, who ultimately wanted security for his family.

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The memoirs revealed Lee’s statement to?The China Mail where he elaborated on his feelings,?“I have great confidence in the studio. I think it will outlive me.” The deal gave him a ‘superstar salary’ as the headline of the paper’s article proclaimed. Plus, it made taxation easy and act as insurance for his family. Lee was passionate about whatever he created, and one of the shining examples of his dedication was the movie, Enter the Dragon.

Lee’s adamant creative vision caused a ‘tug of war’

Before he began work on his magnum opus,?Enter the Dragon, Lee was quite excited about all the potential he could offer. The legend began modifying the script and working hard on the fight scenes and choreography. But when his changes were not taken into consideration, the legend stood adamant.

Lee wanted to portray his philosophy, his style, and his message through the movie. And he stood his ground till the producers listened to him. The movie, originally called?Blood and Steel, was changed to?Enter the Dragon. Many iconic dialogues were included and the movie transformed into what it is today. The star’s legacy was unparalleled and continues to be so.

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