The search for young ‘Chong Wei’ continues
AFTER two auditions with some 700 hopefuls, there is still no sign of a talent suited to play the young version of badminton hero Datuk Lee Chong Wei for the upcoming biopic Rise Of The Legend.
However, its director, Teng Bee, whose previous works included Kepong Gangster and Paint My Love, was hopeful that he would eventually land the right youth in the last leg of the audition, to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
The first two auditions were held earlier this month in Penang and Johor.
“We’re looking for a local aged between 13 and 16, and must at least have some basic badminton skills.
“I am expecting more to turn up for this Saturday’s audition and hopefully we will find one who fits the bill,” he said, adding that he already has an actor in mind to play the adult version of Lee.
Teng, however, said that during the Penang audition, he was especially impressed by a nonMalaysian hopeful.
“He was a Taiwanese teen who flew in all the way from Taichung. However, there was no way we could take him in since we want a Malaysian to play our hero.”
Based on Lee’s 2012 book Dare To Be A Champion, Teng said he started toying with the idea to put out the film three years ago after watching one of Lee’s badminton matches on television.
Inspired by Lee’s fighting spirit and positivity in the face of challenges, the 36year-old director set out to write the screenplay.
“I hope the film will inspire youngsters to dream big and to never give up,” he added.
Filming will begin in July and it will be shot in Penang and the Klang Valley.
The film chronicles the Penang-born Lee’s steady rise in the badminton arena. It will also feature the love story between Lee and his wife, former national badminton player Datin Wong Mew Choo.
Filming is expected to wrap up in August.
It is slated for a Lunar New Year release.
Produced by CB Pictures Sdn Bhd in association with MAHU Pictures, the film costs RM6 million. Sharing the producer’s chair are Josiah Chieng of Sayang You Can Dance and Great Day fame and Lee’s elder brother Chong Hoon.
Teng also hoped to have the man himself in the film even if it was just a cameo. “There’s no confirmation whether Lee would actually make an appearance in the film due to his busy schedule.
“But we’re hopeful that he would want to.”
The Saturday’s audition will be held at Pioneer Sports in Sunsuria Avenue, Kuala Lumpur from 11am to 3pm.