Malaysian sports icon and badminton legend, Lee Chong Wei, is set to get his own feature film – a biopic about his life, career, and rise to becoming one of Malaysia’s most celebrated athletes.

The film, which is expected to cost about RM4.5 million, will be produced by local film production houses C8 Pictures and Mahu Pictures. Producer Josiah Chieng noted that they were trying for three years when Chong Wei finally warmed up to the idea and agreed to hand over the rights to allow his life to be immortalised on the silver screen.

The movie will apparently be a motivational one which can hopefully inspire local and international audiences. According to Chieng, “Datuk Lee Chong Wei is a sports icon. He is the Malaysian hero. The story is a must have for Malaysia… not only in Malaysia but also worldwide. This is a Malaysian movie”. However, this Malaysia movie does not necessarily signal the beginning of Lee Chong Wei’s acting career as he’s not yet agreed to be in it. That doesn’t meant the producers aren’t trying, though.

The biopic, titled ‘Rise of the Legend’ is slated to be released in 2018, with nationwide auditions beginning later this year, in December. Presumably, the film will cover his training and relationship with his first coach, Misbun Sidek; the seemingly insurmountable challenge of Lin Dan; his family life; and the widely publicised 8-month drug ban. If done well, this could end up a big enough hit to warrant other biopics of exceptional Malaysians. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Who would you cast as Lee Chong Wei?

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