?Start of a New Career?: Chuck Norris Once Revealed the Importance of His Role in Bruce Lee?s Iconic Colosseum Fight

Martial art legend Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee shared an emphatic relationship. The two met at a martial arts demonstration in California in 1964. Since then, the dynamic duo began practicing together and formed a layered relationship. Their friendship eventually took such roots that Lee did not forget him even after returning to Hong Kong. Moreover, he asked Norris to star in his film, The Way of Dragon as the antagonist, which greatly impacted the American martial artist?s career.

In Lee?s biography, Bruce Lee: A Life, Chuck Norris revealed the importance of starring in the master?s iconic Colosseum fight scene that changed his life to a great extent.?

Chuck Norris on how Bruce Lee started a new career for him

After the success of Fist of Fury and The Big Boss, Bruce Lee desired to make the best use of his filmmaking potential. He started his own production house Concord Production Inc., in 1972, under which he made The Way of Dragon. As a result, Lee had complete creative freedom. Apart from producing it, the master acted in it, wrote its script, and also did its casting. Moreover, he decided to cast his friend Chuck Norris as the bad guy, Colt.

Getting inspired by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone?s spaghetti westerns, Lee picturized his film?s iconic fighting scene with Colt in Rome?s heritage amphitheater, The Colosseum. When the film was released, it became a massive hit with praises for Norris and Lee?s fighting scene.?

In Lee?s biography, Norris revealed that he was expecting an increase in students in his karate school after doing The Way of Dragon. He told, ?I was aware that an appearance in a movie?even one made in Hong Kong?could get me heightened visibility, which might draw more students to our [karate] schools.? However, what Norris did expect was the start of a new acting career for him, ?I had no thought that it might be the start of a new career for me.??

Indeed, The Way of Dragon boosted Norris?s career path in acting. He landed major roles in films like?Slaughter in San Francisco?and?Breaker! Breaker!?after starring in The Way of Dragon. By the 1980s, Norris became a martial art star performing leading roles in action films like A Force of One, Lone Wolf McQuade, and The Octagon.?

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While shooting The Way of Dragon, Lee?s biography revealed that the master had overfunded his film. The news fascinated the media that jumped on the filmmaker with several questions. However, the master smartly dogged the questions.

Bruce Lee told the media that he does not worry about his film’s expenditures

Bruce Lee was known for lavishly funding his films. Hence, his production?s first film, The Way of Dragon was no exception. The master had on-boarded A-list actors like Chuck Norris and Robert Wall and also spent time shooting in Rome, with Lee going over budget.

However, when the master was asked about overspending in a press conference, he stated that he had not estimated the amount he spent on the film. Moreover, he stated that he did not worry about spending money on his projects. If he felt it was worth it, he would not think about increasing the budget.?

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With Lee’s dedicated input in The Way of Dragon, the film did good business. It collected HK$5,307,350.50 at the Hong Kong box office, beating previous records set by Lee’s own films.?