Cinemax Sets Bruce Lee-Inspired ‘Warrior’ With ‘Banshee’ Boss, Justin Lin

Cinemax wasn’t kidding with their intent to re-re-brand as an action network. Atop a Strike Back renewal, the network is now picking up Tong Wars drama Warrior, based on an idea by Bruce Lee, and produced by Furious franchise director Justin Lin.

Based on the 19th century Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Warrior has received a ten-episode order, and will shoot this fall in Cape Town, South Africa. The series is inspired by an idea from Bruce Lee, with Banshee creator Jonathan Tropper showrunning under executive producers Justin Lin and Danielle Woodrow, along with Bruce Lee Entertainment’s Shannon Lee.

So reads the synopsis:

WARRIOR is a gritty, action-packed crime drama set during the brutal Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. The series follows Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who immigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances, and becomes a hatchet man for one of Chinatown’s most powerful tongs (Chinese organized crime family).

Adds Justin Lin:

I’ve always admired Bruce Lee for his trailblazing efforts opening doors for Asians in entertainment and beyond. So I was intrigued when Danielle told me about the urban legend of his never-produced idea for a TV show and suggested we bring it to life. Then, when Shannon shared with us her father’s writings – rich with Lee’s unique philosophies on life, and through a point of view rarely depicted on screen – Danielle and I knew that Perfect Storm had to make it.

No explicit premiere window was given, so stay tuned for the latest on Cinemax’s Warrior.