Yes, It is true that shortly before he was killed, Brandon had in fact signed to do two sequels to he Crow if it proved to be successful. They were to be based around the character of Eric Draven.
Wasn’t Rapid Fire going to be called something else?
This is true. Brandon (with agent David Goldman) and producer Robert Lawrence worked to secure a deal with Fox for a film, which would be written especially for him. Originally, writer Cindy Cirile was writing a script called “The Red Pole,” which had the storyline based around a martial artist using his skills to fight the Hong Kong Mafia in New York City. However, Brandon wanted a more realistic character who he could relate with, and after Alan McElroy came on board as one of the writers, the storyline dealing with both martial arts, and with the loss and spiritual growth seemed more appropriate to Brandon. It had the working title of “Moving Target,” until after the film was made. It was then changed to Rapid Fire.
Did Brandon ever say ‘The Key to immortality is living a life worth remembering’ or ‘Immortality is to live your life doing good things, and living your mark behind’ ?
No. It is rather odd that sayings Brandon is connected with he never said or knew about in his lifetime. When Brandon died, the film based on his father’s life Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story was due to be released, the film’s director, Rob Cohen decided to include a dedication to Brandon at the end of the film and asked his mother, Linda if she had one in mind. After no suggestions were given, so Cohen asked her what she thought of the famous St Augustine quote “The Key to Immortality is First Living a Life Worth Remembering”, and she thought it was perfect. Brandon never said it or does any evidence to suggest he had heard of the quote while alive. Linda Lee Cadwell used the quote and had it engraved on a bench that was placed at the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee in 1995. There is also no evidence that Brandon had said or heard of the second quote, although many fans have placed it on their banners and pages – he never said it. It seems to be a variation of the St Augustine quote, but once again there is no factual support that Brandon ever said. it.
I read online that Brandon loved Avatar cologne, is that true?
As much as I dislike these “type” of questions, here is the truth. No, I can honestly say without any doubt, Brandon did not use or even knew about Avatar cologne. The fact of the matter is that the cologne was not designed by the perfume company ‘Coty’ until after his death, and didn’t make its debut on the marketplace until 1997 – some 4 years after Brandon’s tragic death, making it impossible for Brandon to have favored this particular cologne.
Was Brandon’s religious?
No, from what has been reported on record. Brandon confessed to the media and to friends to have no solid belief in God or organized religion.
How can I spot fake autographs from Brandon from real ones?
Some fake autographs are quite obvious, while others aren’t. A big indication that it is a fake if Brandon’s signature appears on ANY The Crow merchandise, including pictures, scripts, etc. The fact is that these products were only produced AFTER Brandon’s death, therefore it is impossible for anyone to claim that Brandon did sign an autograph on a Eric Draven picture for instance. Brandon’s catch phrase ‘Keep the Faith’, was not on all autographs, and some people wishing to make a quick buck have forged his handwriting, with this quote. Use a little common sense when judging whether or not such autographs are real or not.
I have seen fake photographs on Brandon appear on myspace or least I think they are. Can you tell me what photos are real.
Unfortunately, some people think that it is actually amusing or accepting to Photoshop Brandon in sexually suggestive poses, putting his head on someone else’s body. It isn’t. While some Photoshops of Brandon may be interesting and harmless(some even are quite artistic), however, when people put his head on someone else’s body to suggest a more intimate connection with Brandon, it can be boarding on disrespectful not to mention idiotic. I have seen people remove Eliza’s head to put their own on the picture, or ones where Brandon’s head has been put in pictures of an inappropriate nature. Brandon was someone who had loved ones, including a life partner, and while pictures of a suggestive nature may be cool for some, they really are immature and disrespectful if they are aimed to fabricate a reality that never existed. I wish to remind people who never knew Brandon, that he was a human being like everyone else, and should be respected as one. Just because the Internet is what it is, there is still such a thing as ethics, decency and respect. It also is against certain laws to try and profit from manipulated photographs where celebrities are placed in superimposed and sexually suggestive pictures. A little respect goes a long way.
Did Brandon visit his father’s grave a lot when alive?
Brandon lived in Los Angeles, while his father was buried in Seattle, therefore Brandon would have visited his father’s grave when he felt he needed to or could. As far as the frequency of any visits, that is an intimate question and only one that Brandon could answer. Visiting graves is not always reflective of love, many in fact don’t visit loved ones graves because effectively they aren’t “there”, or choose to remember them in their own way. Gravestones, were traditionally to help with mourning for the living. Brandon did say to The Crow screenwriter, David Schow that one pet peeve he did have was when his father’s fans took pictures at the gravesite, like it was some tourist attraction. He even recalled how often times he would be paying respects to his father’s grave, only to be told to move from some avid fan who wanted to take a picture. Brandon felt strongly that his father’s gravestone should be a place of respect, not a tourist attraction. It is disappointing that some people treat Brandon’s own grave in exactly the same manner in which he loathed (including some fans stepping on and laying on his gravestone, even some who have tried to manipulate some of the granite, posing by the stone in very suggestive poses and treating it like they were at Disneyland). Graves are a place of eternal rest, and should be treated with great respect – especially at the graves of people you personally never knew. Again, respect goes a long way to not only to Brandon, but to Brandon’s own true loved ones. Brandon did NOT frequently sleep at his father’s gravesite as some may have claimed.
Did Brandon perform his own stunts?
It really means what people mean by “stunts”. Brandon had a stunt double on both Rapid Fire, and The Crow – Jeff Cadiente, who performed the more taxing and dangerous stunts. All martial art fights were always done by Brandon. However, when certain stunts may have been deemed too dangerous for Brandon, then those scenes would have been performed by a stunt double. For instance, in ‘Rapid Fire’ in the scene that Jake rides his motorcycle out of the window, this was done by Jeff Cadiente and not Brandon.
Where can I get copies of Brandon’s media interviews?
Rare print interviews can be found on our site, under the section ‘Print Media’. There are some interviews on youtube, but often some interviews can get edited or their perspective copyright owners may request them to have removed. There are some that I have placed online, but many are not available for public display due to copyright infringement. We are looking into making some rare interviews available through transcript in the near future.
What cities did Brandon live in his life?
Brandon was born in Oakland, but spend most of his life living in Los Angeles. He spent 4 years living in Hong Kong as a child, followed by one year in Seattle, before the family moved to L.A. He also spent one year living in Boston in 1983-1984 and another year living in New York from 1984-1985. From 1985-1993, Brandon lived in Los Angeles.
Where did he met Eliza Hutton and when?
Brandon met Eliza in 1990 at the office of director Renny Harlin. The pair were introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
Was Brandon due to start any films after The Crow?
Not straight away. He had not yet signed on to do any films, he was carefully choosing what he wanted to do next, chiefly wanting to see what the audience response to The Crow would be. He had not signed on to do ‘Mortal Kombat’ according to his agent (who would know), as it has previously been reported. He was to act in a dramatic play ‘In Doubt’, in the summer of 1993, after he returned from his honeymoon.
Did Brandon study acting?
Yes, he was still taking acting classes, and believed that it was needed to keep up-to-date with your craft. Some of his acting teachers include Eric Morris and Lynette Katselas.
Is it true Brandon was a chain smoker?
Yes, Brandon was a smoker. However, he was not heavy smoker when training or filming. A former co-star in fact commented that Brandon rarely brought his own cigarettes and would smoke a few bummed cigarettes from co-stars or crew members.
Did Brandon act in a film called ‘Crime Killer’?
There is no factual support to confirm this. The film appeared on Brandon’s Internet Movie Database profile, but the film in question has been viewed by several people, with no evidence of Brandon’s appearance being produced. Brandon only obtained his SAG (union card) from acting in his first filmed role, “Kung Fu: The Movie” in 1985. Had he been in Crime Killer, then he would of obtained that earlier. The film was not listed on Brandon’s last industry resume. It is possible he might have been an extra role and that the appearance was cut from the film. However, without any kind of factual support, there is no proof that he did appear in the film.
What kind of books did Brandon read?
Brandon was very widely well read, he claimed to not watch TV, this fact seems to be at least supported by people who knew him. He is said to have been fond of psychological thrillers, and crime fiction, as well as romantic novels.
Was Brandon killed by a live bullet?
Brandon was not shot by a live .44 bullet, it only ultimately had the simulated force of one.
I heard that Brandon defended himself against an intruder in his own home, is that true?
Yes. In 1990, Brandon was living in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles and returned home one night to find a intruder still in the house. Brandon indicated in press interviews afterwards that the men first chased each other around the room of the house, then the intruder grabbed a knife and attempted to stab Brandon with it, only cutting him on the left thumb. Brandon used the knife-drill training he received at the Inosanto Academy to successful disarm the intruder, before breaking several bones in the intruder’s bones. The police were called and the intruder was charged with break and enter and attempted robbery, for which he served a small amount of prison time.
Why was Brandon buried in Seattle instead of Los Angeles? Didn’t he live in L.A?
Yes, Brandon had lived in Los Angeles for the large majority of his life. However, the decision where to bury him was made by his mother, Linda and it was natural decision given the sad circumstance of his death, as well as how dearly Brandon loved his father.Seattle was where Brandon’s parents had met and where Bruce had expressed to his wife where he felt much peace. Brandon did visit the town at various times to visit his father’s grave, and Linda had family in the area for a number of years. The plot where Brandon is buried, Linda had originally reserved for herself.
Did Brandon believe that his father’s death was by natural causes?
Yes, and he indicated that on public record. There were claims after he died that Brandon was going to re-open the investigation into his father’s death, but there is no evidence for this whatsoever, and the source of it seems to have had a malicious agenda for starting such a rumor. Brandon suggested while alive that anyone who doubted the fact for them to read either one of his mother’s two books on his father, where he said “lays the facts out for anyone who is interested”. Brandon did not have any active plans to re-open any investigation into his father’s death, for the simply reason that he accepted that his father’s death was by natural causes. Many have made kinds of suggestions about “investigations” because they find the concept of two healthy men in the same family dying difficult to accept. Accidents do occur.
Could Brandon Lee have been Murdered?
There is no factual evidence to support that Brandon’s death was intentional or what is termed as foul play in any way, shape or form. While anything is possible, all crimes leave a trace and there has never been any evidence that his death was anything but an accident. There are some fans who have a tendency to shout murder without properly understanding the definition or even have read the detailed information and evidence on his death. It’s important to read factual accounts about the negligence that occurred, which by definition is “an unintentional act that causes the death or injury of another party. ” Asian mafia stories, and far fling theories like them are ridiculous, and have no factual basis at all. Sometimes it is difficult for people to accept that those in the public are no more immortal than any of us. Accidents, illness and eventually death will follow us all one day. If you choose to believe that it was not an accident, you should have some factual basis for your opinion besides ‘his father died and so did he.
What happened to Eliza Hutton and why don’t we hear about her?
Eliza was widowed and after many years working through her grief was able to piece together her life and move on from her grief. Since Brandon’s passing she has closely guarded both her personal life, and her private memories of Brandon for good reason. The obvious reason why you don’t hear about her is that she lives a normal life outside of the public, and has worked hard to maintain the privacy she has. Brandon and Eliza were a private couple, and did not have public lives, so it’s illogical to assume that suddenly she would pour her heart out to strangers once he died. Given that Eliza has been the target of some unfair and malicious internet criticism over the years, whether because of jealousy or ignorance it does not matter, but it certainly has not been a huge shock that she never has chosen to speak publicly about her loss. Keeping her grief to herself showed a lot of strength of character, as well as dignity. Brandon was very private about his personal life, and guarded his own memories of his father in much the same way. Fans also have to understand that Brandon and Eliza had a very close and tight bond, and if any of us had lost our partner, best friend and soul mate in the same fashion, I doubt we would be jumping up and down and wanting to reveal all Brandon’s deep and dark secrets. She went through a very difficult time, as did Brandon’s closest friends and family – many whom never have spoken in great depth of it either, because of the same reasons. While it would be nice if she did share some of her memories of Brandon, that it is her decision and fans should respect that.
For More facts and trivia please visit our site for the full and always accurate details on Brandon’s life, career and legacy.
