Production begins on ‘Ip Man 2,’ young Bruce Lee cast

Production has begun on the sequel to the award-winning kung fu drama IP MAN with director Wilson Yip, martial arts star Donnie Yen and cast members having attended an opening ceremony in Foshan on Monday to honor the biopic’s subject, Wing Chun Master Ip Man (aka Yip Man).

(from left) Fan Siu-wong (slightly out of frame), Xiong Dailin, Jiang Daiyan, Donnie Yen, director Wilson Yip, producer Wong Bak-Ming.

IP MAN 2 will pick up where its predecessor left off with Ip (Yen) relocating to Hong Kong from his native Foshan. The plot will follow Ip’s early years there where he established leading up to the time when he took on a young Bruce Lee as his student.

Action director Sammo Hung is on board again, this time also in front of the camera where he will portray a Hung Fist master who develops a rivalry with Ip Man. Actors Fan Siu-wong, Simon Yam and Lam Ka-tung are also returning.

Several other new cast members will be added. Most notably, Bruce Lee will be portrayed by 10-year-old child actor Jiang Daiyan (see pictures). Other additions include former child martial arts actor Sik Siu-lung (DRAGON FROM SHAOLIN) and Huang Xiaoming (THE BANQUET).

Jiang Daiyan

Producers are still searching for an actor to portray an adult version of Bruce Lee for this film and possibly IP MAN 3.

The 100 million yuan ($15 million) production will mostly be shot on a set in Shanghai. Mandarin Films is planning to release IP MAN 2 in the summer of 2010.

Source: MonkeyPeaches, Sina

Tags: Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, Genre: Kung Fu, Ip Man 2 (2010), Sammo Hung, upcoming, Wilson Yip, Wing Chun