Prime Video is developing a new television adaptation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, based on Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron Pentalogy—a series of novels chronicling the legacy of ancient Chinese warrior-heroes across four generations. The project comes from writer and executive producer Jason Ning (The Brothers Sun) and executive producer Ron Moore (Outlander), both of whom are under overall deals with Sony Pictures Television.
Set against breathtaking landscapes and featuring epic martial arts action, the series will follow Shu Lien and Mu Bai—two warriors torn between a forbidden love and the encroaching pressures of modernity. As they navigate their personal desires and the fading traditions of their world, they must choose between safeguarding their heritage or seizing a new future together.
The property was famously adapted into Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning 2000 film starring Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat, which drew from multiple volumes of the Crane-Iron series. Yeoh also returned for the Netflix sequel Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) alongside martial arts legend Donnie Yen. The original film remains part of Sony’s library, as it was produced and distributed by the studio.
The new TV series began development a few years ago after Sony regained the rights to the novels through a first-look deal with Vertigo Entertainment. Jason Ning was brought on board as part of his overall deal, and Ron Moore joined the project last year following his return to Sony under a new deal.
Executive producers include Ning; Moore and Maril Davis via Tall Ship Productions; Johnny Levin; Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment; and Hong Wang and Qin Wang on behalf of the Wang Dulu Estate. Ying Lou will serve as co-executive producer.
Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron Pentalogy, published between 1938 and 1944, has long been celebrated for its rich storytelling and exploration of the youxia—a class of wandering martial heroes central to Chinese literary tradition.
Stay tuned as we learn more when casting gets underway.
SOURCE: Deadline
