Hong Kong's biographical action film series "Ip Man 3" is now preparing the prospect of some heavy fighting scenes as Pegasus Motion Picture officially announced the inclusion of the notorious boxing legend Mike Tyson in its list of cast. Tyson will be fighting Chinese action star Donnie Yen and will apparently be third-wheeled by a digital-resurrected Bruce Lee.
Following the past films which story covered Ip's early life, the third and final installment of the "Ip Man" series will be focusing on Ip and Bruce Lee's master-student relationship.
Mike Tyson will be playing the role of a property developer and street fighter in the movie about Bruce Lee's former mentor, Wing Chun aficionado Yip Man. He will be fight pitting the discipline of boxing against the martial arts ace Donnie Yen who will be reprising his role as Ip from the two previous installments.
The role was offered to the boxer earlier this year when the film's executive producer Shi Jianxiang (also the founder and CEO of Shanghai Kuailu Investment Group) went to Los Angeles for the Oscars. According to him, Tyson claimed that he's a fan of the installment and has watched each of them for more than three times already.
Shi is now hopeful that the boxer's introduction will serve as a contribution to the cultural exchange between China and United states, most particularly in the film industry.
Aside from Tyson, Kung Fu icon Bruce Lee is also set to appear as the young student of Ip Man. Lee's real life character will be re-created through computer graphics as they were not able to find an actor who can copy Lee's moves onscreen.
The film is produced by Hong Kong-based Pegasus Motion Pictures with producer Raymond Wong. "Ip Man 3" which has a budget of $38 million has commenced its principal photography last March in Shanghai, China and is directed by Wilson Yip.
"Ip Man 3" with Mike Tyson and digital Bruce Lee is initially set to premier in 3D in the first quarter of 2016 and will be opened to Cannes this week.
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