Updated April 30, 2013

There may or not be a Last Dragon Remake but the fact that a planned Sequel to The Last Dragon never happened back in the ’80s is much more disappointing to me. After the success of The Last Dragon in 1985, there were plans for a part 2 called “The Glow”. Apparently, the script was written in 1986, but sadly it was never made into a movie.

Why didn’t The Last Dragon Sequel Happen in the 80s?

There are conflicting reports and the whole story may never be told.  In a TVOne special (watch it below) The Last Dragon’s producer Rupert Hitzig said  Taimak (Bruce Leroy) held out for a 3 picture deal. In a March 29, 2013  interview with DJ Ms. Drama on Breakthru Radio,  Taimak suggested that the TVOne special was not accurate as it wasn’t that clear cut. He said in the interview that “it was much more complex than that… it has to do with the dynamics of deal making in Hollywood…it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it, what 19, 20 year old doesn’t want to continue the fun of making movies… let’s just say part of the people involved in the negotiation tried to muscle me rather than explain to me… the approach… made me put my defenses up.”  He also mentioned that Rupert Hitzig didn’t know what happened because he wasn’t in the room during the negotiation. Whatever the reason, the sad truth is that The Last Dragon 2 never happened… 🙁

**December 2015 Update: Taimak opens up for the first time about what actually happened to The Last Dragon Sequel in his autobiography. Only 1,000 copies will be printed they are available from Amazon. Listen to him talk about it in this November 6, 2015 interview on the Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God.

**May 2019 Update: In the clip below Taimak opens up about feeling betrayed by Berry Gordy and why The Last Dragon 2 never happened. See the full interview here: Taimak VladTV Full Interview

   

The Last Dragon 2 Script

I read about the script on a forum called TheRFP.com where someone claimed to have a copy of it. I’ve tried to get a hold of him, but haven’t heard back. He didn’t say too much about the plot but he mentioned it centered around Sho-Nuff going back to his master to let him know that he got beat down by Bruce Leroy. Early in the script Leroy goes to Asia to fight Sho’Nuff ‘s master and loses but by the end of the movie he’s able to do old school Kung Fu movie style floating through the air and use the glow to heal himself faster than normal. The sequel is said to have more action and further explain the glow. It gets more into how great boxers (like Sho’nuff) can get the Glow in their hands. Other great fighters could get the glow in other body parts depending on their specialty, for instance, a great kicker could get the glow in their feet. Personally, I would love to hear the origin of Sho’nuff. Since he just came back on the scene in the original where had he been? How did acquired the power of the hands only red glow?

Some of this sounds a little like what Dallas Jackson, the writer of this generation’s Last Dragon Remake, has said about his script. It is said to deal more with the origins of the glow, Leroy, Sho’nuff and Laura Charles.

How I think The Last Dragon Sequel would have ended

I’m sure in true Kung Fu movie tradition the defeat motivates Leroy to train even harder. He finds some sort of guide or old sage who teaches him more about the history and power of the Glow. This allows him to realize the Glow’s full potential. Of course, it would end with an epic battle where Leroy shows the powerful Evil Master of the Red Glow what The Last Dragon can really do.

I would have loved to see this movie… Oh, what could have been…

The Producer of The Last Dragon Talks about the planned Sequel

On The TVone “Life After” Special on Taimak, Rupert Hitzig, the producer of The Last Dragon talks about the sequel and how Taimak turned it down.

https://youtu.be/R79kS-drlW8?t=12m33s

What do you think the plot of The Last Dragon II should have been about?

Comment below…

**December 2015 Update: It’s good to see some fans have stepped up and made a sequel. Check it out The Last Dragon 2: Leroy Goes to Hollywood

**May 2015 Update: A fan animated series and sequel to The Last Dragon called Rise of The Last Dragon is in production

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TheLastDragonTribute.com is a blog dedicated to preserving the joy of Berry Gordy’s 1985 Motown meets Kung Fu cult classic The Last Dragon. We also delve into all things Bruce Lee, Martial Arts and enjoy reminiscing about 70′s,80′s & 90′s pop culture. Follow us from the links below for your daily dose of the Glow!