Movies

Why Chuck Norris Rejected a Role in Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon

BBG News

Few people may realize that despite Chuck Norris’s close association with martial arts icon Bruce Lee, he declined a role in the movie “Enter the Dragon”. Known for his meme-worthy action roles since the 1970s and beyond, Norris initially gained prominence through a minor part in the spy comedy “The Wrecking Crew”. However, his major breakthrough came when he was cast as the main antagonist in Lee’s “The Way of the Dragon”. Employing his mastery of various martial arts styles, Norris became popular by playing Colt, a role that Tang Lung, portrayed by Lee, defeated at the end of their epic clash in the Colosseum.

In Lee’s extensive filmography, it could have been fitting to see Norris reappear in the movie “Enter the Dragon“. However, instead of following that path, Norris chose a different route in his career, transitioning into action movies as a leading man and appearing in martial arts hits such as “A Force of One”, “Missing in Action”, and “The Delta Force”. With an impressive career under his belt, Norris now shares the spotlight with Bruce Lee as one of the most renowned martial arts stars in history.

Chuck Norris Declined To Play O’Hara In Enter The Dragon

Lee Offered Norris A Role In His Final Film

It’s worth noting that Norris was indeed proposed a role in Enter the Dragon, but he turned it down because he didn’t want to lose to Lee again. As per Matthew Polly’s 2018 book Bruce Lee: A Life, while Lee wanted him for O’Hara, Norris preferred leading roles moving forward. The part of O’Hara eventually went to Bob Wall, who delivered an impressive portrayal as Han’s bodyguard. Alongside Bolo, the enforcer character played by Jim Kelly, O’Hara was one of the two main antagonists in Enter the Dragon.

Although Wall delivered an impressive portrayal of O’Hara, one can’t help but ponder how Norris might have shaped the character. As the ruthless guard who killed Lee’s sister Su Lin, there was a palpable tension between them that could potentially have amplified their climactic encounter, perhaps even surpassing Norris’s legendary fight in “The Way of the Dragon.” Being a unique film that blended elements of spy and blaxploitation genres, it’s undeniable that “Enter the Dragon” stands as the pinnacle of Lee’s career. Including Norris would have added an exciting dimension to this groundbreaking movie.

Why Chuck Norris Was Right Not To Appear In Enter The Dragon

Norris Avoided The Curse Of Being Typecast By Forging His Own Path

As a martial arts enthusiast, I can’t help but miss Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, yet recognize that Chuck Norris made a wise career move by choosing not to be in it. Though their careers share an unbreakable bond, Norris leveraged the fame he earned from Way of the Dragon to launch his own successful career as a leading man. If Norris had starred in Enter the Dragon, there was a risk that he would have been stereotyped as merely another villain who consistently loses in the end.

In an alternate scenario, it’s clear that replicating the epic battle between Lee and Colt in “The Way of the Dragon” would have been extremely challenging, and O’Hara seemed almost like a less significant role compared to Norris. After sharing the screen with Lee, the wisest move for Norris might have been to create his own path, demonstrating his ability to headline action movies without being overshadowed by the actor often regarded as the best kung fu star ever. If Chuck Norris had taken the role instead, he may never have progressed to producing films under his own name.

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2025-05-14 13:55

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