Ang Lee Wants To Direct ‘Thrilla In Manila’ Movie
‘Thrilla In Manila’ movie – A two-time best director Oscar winner wants to direct the “Thrilla in Manila” movie, a historic boxing between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975, held in Manila, Philippines.
Ang Lee wanted to direct the said action movie after his statement given on his visit in the Philippines, as reported by Inquirer.
The Taiwanese filmmaker was so eager to shoot the film of the considered the ‘greatest fight in boxing history’ that he wanted to start shooting the film before launching his movie, “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk”, to be seen in the US on November.
According to Lee, who also directed the movie, “Life of Pi”, he wanted to do the “Thrilla in Manila” movie into Rated-R drama.
“I want to treat ‘Thrilla in Manila’ as I always do, which is R-rated drama,” Lee said as quoted.
Lee added that he is struggling with financing as, according to him, drama is more expensive. He said: “Because it’s drama and it’s more expensive than it ought to be, I am still struggling to find financing.”
Ang Lee, the winner of two Golden Globe best director awards, said that he visited that Philippines and talked to the people who hosted the “Thrilla in Manila before. He also said that he went to the site Ali and Frazier went to.
In the report, he said that he even talked to the referee of the fight, Carlos “Sonny” Padilla Jr., the father of the singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, who has been the last-minute replacement for all the American referees that the team Frazier has rejected.
When asked about who would play the critical roles, Ang just answered, “I have people in mind, but I’m not going to announce it yet.” “Because I haven’t gotten the money together,” Ang said with a laugh.
But, there are already reports that Ang has been eyeing actor Ray Fisher to take the role of Ali. While David Oyelowo, Golden Globe best actor winner, is now being considered as Frazier.
“I still remember it vividly. To me, it was the best fight ever. It was just incredible drama,” Ang said.