One of the most notable alterations was the shift in tone, turning the film from a potential action-packed drama into a more whimsical and comedic piece. Although Lee had envisioned some comedic elements, the final script veered much further into humor than he had likely intended. Rebranded as “Circle of Iron,” the film entered production in 1977 and hit cinemas the following year. Featuring stars like David Carradine, Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall, and Eli Wallach, it was Lee’s envisioned roles, presence, and the mystique surrounding his involvement that left a lasting impression on the film.

Throughout his career, Lee was known for his extensive work ethic, often contributing to films that didn’t meet critical acclaim, and “Circle of Iron” wasn’t initially well-received. Nevertheless, its peculiar nature and the intriguing backstory as one of Lee’s last projects—where he received a “story by” credit—cemented its status as a cult classic over time.

Interestingly, Christopher Lee did not assume the role Bruce Lee had earmarked for himself. Renowned for his versatile acting skills, Christopher Lee was not a martial arts hero but instead excelled as the eccentric villain, Zetan. David Carradine took on the multifaceted roles Bruce Lee intended to play, including the enigmatic mentor known as “the blind man,” the dual martial arts leaders Monkeyman and Chang-Sha, and a dream-like representation of Death faced by the main protagonist, Cord (played by Jeff Cooper).

To be clear, Christopher Lee didn’t end up playing the part that Lee had planned for himself. The celebrated actor could play a lot of different roles, but a martial arts hero he was not. Instead, he leaned into what he did best by playing the movie’s eccentric antagonist, Zetan. It was David Carradine who stepped in to play the multiple characters that Bruce Lee was going to play — the mysterious mentor known only as “the blind man”; two different martial arts group leaders named the Monkeyman and Chang-Sha; and a version of Death that appears in the dream of the movie’s actual main protagonist, Cord (Jeff Cooper). 

It’s perhaps fitting that Carradine took over for Bruce Lee in “Circle of Iron.” Even though he was a martial arts actor who doesn’t even have a black belt, Carradine had already established himself as someone who could still get it done on screen thanks to starring in the TV series “Kung Fu” — a role that Lee was up for but that Carradine landed instead. Carradine would frequently revisit the martial arts genre throughout his own career, most famously as the title character in Quentin Tarantino’s two “Kill Bill” films. Meanwhile, Lee’s legendary filmography included turns as villains in the James Bond, “Star Wars,” and “The Lord of the Rings” franchises, not to mention his breakout role as the Hammer Films version of Dracula.