Bruce Lee did not originate the concept for the Kung Fu TV series. The idea was created by Jewish Brooklyn comedy writers Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander, who developed a treatment in 1969 about a half-American, half-Chinese Shaolin monk traveling through the American West—long before Bruce Lee became involved.
However, in October 1971, Warner Bros. executive Ted Ashley offered Lee an exclusive development deal to create his own TV show, recognizing his rising star power after The Big Boss was a success. Lee pitched a series called Ah Sahm, later retitled The Warrior, which focused on a Chinese martial artist in 1800s San Francisco fighting against exploitation of Chinese immigrants—a distinct concept from Kung Fu, though both are Eastern Westerns.
Despite being considered for the lead role of Kwai Chang Caine, Lee was ultimately passed over. Studios expressed concerns about his accent and perceived lack of dramatic acting range at the time, despite his comedic roles like The Green Hornet. Some accounts suggest racial bias played a role, with one executive reportedly saying, “You can’t make a star out of a five-foot-six Chinese actor.”
David Carradine, a non-martial artist with no prior experience in Chinese philosophy or kung fu, was cast instead—leading to widespread criticism of the show as whitewashing. Decades later, Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee discovered his original treatment and, in collaboration with director Justin Lin, brought The Warrior to life in 2019 as a Cinemax series—fulfilling her father’s vision with an authentic portrayal of Chinese immigration and cultural conflict.
