China's national broadcaster, China Central Television, has started shooting a 40-episode television series on the country's most legendary Kungfu master Bruce Lee.

The dramatic series, The Legend of Bruce Lee, with a budget of 50-million-yuan (US$6.4 million) started production over the weekend in Shunde in southern Guangdong Province, hometown of the world-famous martial arts superstar.

The production will also shoot in Hong Kong and the United States where Lee starred in many blockbuster kungfu movies.

Lee made 46 kungfu movies. He died at age 32 in 1973, while starring and directing the movie Game of Death in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong actor Danny Chan, who plays Lee, said he has mixed feelings about playing the role of an icon.

"I'm a little bit nervous and very excited. But I will try my best to portray this role," Chan said.

Danny Chan says he's been a big Bruce Lee fan since he was a child. He studied Jeet Kune Do, the branch of kungfu Lee established, and often imitated the star.

As he grew, people began to notice his striking resemblance to the youthful Bruce Lee.

In 2000, Danny Chan's likeness to Bruce Lee landed him the chance to play the part of a goalkeeper in Shaolin Soccer. The film was directed and led by Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow, who is also a fan of Bruce Lee.

"I hope the drama will spread Bruce Lee's 'never give up' spirit during the Olympic 2008," Chan added.

The TV play is due to be aired in 2008, the year Beijing hosts the Olympic Games.

China had asked the International Olympic Committee to include Kungfu in the Beijing Olympics but was turned down. According to Wang Xiaolin, chairman of the China Martial Arts Association, the Beijing Olympic Committee will organize a separate kungfu contest at the same time the formal competitions are being held in August next year.

Bruce Lee's new TV biopic started shooting in Shunde ,Guangdong Province.

Hong Kong actor Danny Chan and Bruce's daughter Shannon Lee.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2007)