Ang Lee does not like to repeat himself. Just look at his films and see if there is anything that thematically or visually ties them together: THE ICE STORM, EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, HULK, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, LIFE OF PI, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON. Each is a unique genre and has a distinct visual flair. The only consistent things about Ang Lee are his varied tastes and impeccable skill as a filmmaker. That being said, his next project is just as out there as anything else he has done.
According to Deadline, Ang Lee will use the same 3D camera technology used for LIFE OF PI to tell a sports story described as “epic”:
A look at the boxing world of the 1960s and 1970s, as seen through the prism of its biggest rivalries and greatest fights. That will include the showdown between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali that was called the Thrilla In Manila.
The screenplay structure is unknown as is whether the fights will be filmed with computer effects or stand-ins, but the prospect of Ang Lee taking his style to a boxing movie is quite intriguing. I am not sure if this will feel like a boxing version of FORREST GUMP, but with Peter Morgan (FROST/NIXON, RUSH) on writing duties, I trust it would be well crafted.
I wanted to dislike LIFE OF PI for the overly CG style but could not. With amateur actors, Lee was able to craft a truly spectacular film and one I think should have won Best Picture. Hopefully he can win over any naysayers with this new movie.
