The Last Dragon Retrospective: Craig from The Last Dragon Tribute joins John Toma for 80s Dude TV to reveal 13 little-known and behind-scenes facts even the biggest Last Dragon fans may not know!
“The Last Dragon” is a cult classic martial arts film that has left an indelible mark on pop culture. While many fans are familiar with its iconic characters and memorable scenes, there are several lesser-known facts and behind-the-scenes stories that make the movie even more fascinating.
In an exclusive collaboration with John Toma (@that_80s_dude) for @80sDudeTV, I enjoyed delving deep into these hidden facets, sharing invaluable insights I’ve gained through interactions with the film’s actors, writer, and crew. Through this unique access, we aim to enrich your appreciation of this remarkable cinematic gem. Join us on a journey as we unveil 13 intriguing revelations about “The Last Dragon.”
Enjoy the video, and don’t overlook the article below. I’ve included additional exclusive content that wasn’t covered in the video, providing you with even more insights. Thank you to John for having me on his show. I was very impressed with his passion and knowledge of The Last Dragon.
1. Enter The Dragon and Bruce Lee’s Influence Inspired The Last Dragon
The genesis of “The Last Dragon” can be traced back to a 1983, 10th-anniversary screening of Bruce Lee’s legendary film, “Enter The Dragon.” Louis Venosta, the writer, found inspiration in this event as he observed moviegoers dressed in crazy kung fu outfits passionately quoting lines from the movie. Initially, he considered turning the concept into a Broadway musical, but his girlfriend convinced him that it had to be a movie. The iconic movie theatre scene in “The Last Dragon” inspired by this screening was filmed at the Victory Theatre on 42nd Street in Times Square. Ironically, right across the street from where epic anniversary celebrations would be held for The Last Dragon. (hosted by the Urban Action Showcase & Expo) The Last Dragon contains many homages to Bruce Lee, particularly in references to his films “Enter The Dragon”, “Fists of Fury” and “Chinese Connection”. I’ve explored these homages in greater detail in an article titled “13 Homages to Bruce Lee in The Last Dragon” and we explore them further in the video.
2. Taimak Was Not The First Choice For Bruce Leroy
We almost had a different Leroy! Taimak, who portrayed the film’s protagonist, Leroy Green (also known as Bruce Leroy), had no prior acting experience. However, his martial arts skills were genuine, having trained in various styles, and had just won the New York State Kickboxing Title. What’s remarkable is that Taimak’s audition initially went poorly, and he wasn’t the first choice for the role. Another actor, Van Silk, was selected but hadn’t signed the contract yet. Taimak’s resilience, backed by encouragement from his father and a persuasive friend, led him to eventually secure the iconic role. Watch the video for more details.
3. Whitney Houston Auditioned for the Role of Laura Charles
Breaking news! The writer of “The Last Dragon,” Louis Venosta, recently shared a fascinating tidbit with me: the legendary singer Whitney Houston (may she rest in peace) auditioned for the role of Laura Charles! What makes this revelation even more intriguing is that Venosta based all the characters in the film on real people, including Laura Charles, who was inspired by his girlfriend, Joy. (Interestingly, Joy was the one who suggested that Louis turn “The Last Dragon” into a movie instead of a musical.) During the audition process, Joy, the real-life inspiration for Laura Charles, spotted Whitney Houston waiting for her audition. Ultimately, the role went to the late Denise Matthews (also known as Vanity), who delivered a memorable performance. Did you know that “Purple Rain” was based on Denise Matthews’ relationship with Prince, and she was initially supposed to star in that film?
4. The Film Launched Many Careers
“The Last Dragon” served as a launching pad for several cast members who subsequently achieved greater fame in their careers. Notable examples include Keisha Knight Pulliam from “The Cosby Show,” William H. Macy, known for his roles in “Shameless,” “Fargo,” and many more, Chazz Palminteri, renowned for his work in “A Bronx Tale,” Tony Award-winning actress Faith Prince, and Mike Starr, celebrated for his appearances in “Goodfellas” and “Dumb & Dumber.”
Furthermore, Ernie Reyes Jr., who played a pivotal role in the film, went on to star in several popular movies and TV shows, including “The Last Electric Knight/Side Kicks,” “Red Sonya,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Surf Ninjas,” and “The Rundown.” Additionally, Carl Payne found fame in “The Cosby Show” as Cockroach and portrayed Cole in “Martin.”
Lastly, we remember the late Leo O’Brien (may he rest in peace), who, immediately following “The Last Dragon,” appeared in “Rappin’ Hood” and “New Jack City.” He also served as the DJ for the iconic Hip Hop group, The Sugar Hill Gang, while his brother, Master Gee (Guy O’Brien), was a founding member of the group.
5. The Lost Script
There’s a persistent myth surrounding “The Last Dragon” suggesting that a substantial portion of its script was accidentally erased by Louis Venosta and director Michael Schultz when they were asked to trim the movie’s runtime. Like many captivating myths and legends, this one does have a kernel of truth, but it’s not entirely accurate.
In reality, they were indeed tasked with shortening the film’s duration, but the script wasn’t merely cut—it was entirely erased due to an unforeseen mishap. This mishap occurred because they were using a Commodore 64 computer and had neglected to save their work before shutting it down. Louis Venosta had actually fallen asleep during this process, and Schultz woke him up in a state of panic, informing him that the script had been erased.
Interestingly, Venosta remained remarkably calm in this crisis because he had backup copies of the script on both paper and disk. As a result, they had to retype the entire script. However, they played a clever trick on the studio by removing stage directions within the script. This led the executives to believe that significant changes had been made, when, in reality, the core of the story remained largely intact.
Ironically, the studio, now dissatisfied with the script, brought in new writers to overhaul it. Subsequently, they weren’t pleased with the new versions and eventually approached Venosta to return. Venosta, armed with a backup copy of the original script, came to the rescue. Notably, one of the few contributions from the other writers was the name “Sum Dum Goy” for the Master, as Venosta had originally named the elusive master “One Hung Low.”
6. Cut Scenes & Ad-Libs
I’ve encountered rumors suggesting that everything filmed made it into the final cut of the movie. However, upon closer investigation, it has become apparent that at least a couple of scenes were indeed deleted.
Carl Payne, who originally auditioned for the role of Richie but ultimately played one of Richie’s friends is seen in the Sho’nuff busts up Daddy Green’s Pizza scene, provided insights into the existence of a deleted scene involving him and Richie’s other friends playing video games.
Furthermore, Lisa Dalton, renowned for her portrayal of one of Sho’s girls, provided a fascinating detail about another scene that ended up on the cutting room floor. She recounted a moment reminiscent of a famous scene from “Enter the Dragon,” where a character throws a dart at an apple that Bruce Lee skillfully catches and takes a bite out of. In this particular deleted scene, however, the object thrown wasn’t an apple but a piece of fried chicken, which Sho’nuff adeptly caught. This deleted scene helps explain the continuity inconsistencies that occur when Sho’s crew enters the theater in the movie.
Numerous ad-libs infused spontaneity and humor into the film. Christopher Munery (Eddie Arkadian) has mentioned that he and Mike Starr (Rock) had a blast improvising lines like “Who the hell is this guy? We didn’t order out!” on the spot. Glen Eaton (Johnny Yu) has also revealed that the lines “String Bean, Rick James Lookin’ Fool” were ad-libbed following prompting from Berry Gordy, who aimed to elicit a more dynamic reaction from Julius Carry (Sho’nuff). Additionally, Glen Eaton’s nunchuck scene was a last-minute addition after he showcased his proficiency with them during filming.
7. Glean Eaton Was A Lot Like Johnny Yu
Glen Eaton, the actor who portrayed Johnny Yu in the film, had a fascinating connection to his character. While not a trained martial artist, he possessed a deep love for Bruce Lee and could convincingly mimic his martial arts moves and facial expressions. I’ve seen him reenact entire action scenes from “Enter The Dragon”! The “Master of Fighting without knowing how to fight” scene in “The Last Dragon” closely mirrors a real encounter from Eaton’s life. He was once confronted by a group of aggressors, but much like his character in “The Last Dragon,” Eaton cleverly assumed a kung fu stance and, with bravado, he couldn’t possibly back up, said, “Alright, let’s do this. I just have one question: What’s it going to be, all together or one at a time?” Remarkably, it worked! The attackers ended up leaving him alone!
Another interesting fact about Glen Eaton is that he got the opportunity to audition for the film because his sister was dating Berry Gordy at the time.
8. What’s With Sum Dum Goy?
The Sum Dum Goy dancers, played by Henry Yuk, Michael G. Chin, and Fre Mao, were initially intended to portray more stereotypical Chinese characters. However, Berry Gordy, the film’s producer, opted for a different approach. He wanted them to act stereotypically “black,” using jive language and dancing to soul music. Given Leroy’s character’s infatuation with Bruce Lee and Chinese culture, this decision aimed to subvert traditional stereotypes. Additionally, as previously mentioned in this article but not in the video, Sum Doy Gum in early scripts was known as “One Hung Low.”
For more on what the Sum Dum Goy guys have been up to check out: Bruce Leroy Re-Visits Sum Dum Goy 32 Years Later
9. What’s In Eddie Arkadian’s Tank?
A long-standing mystery among fans is what is inside “The Tank” in Eddie’s Office? Some speculated piranhas, a shark, or even some sort of mutant reptile. However, in a revealing interview, Christopher Murney, who played Eddie Arkadian, disclosed that it was, in fact, a pipe used to create the bubbles. During a scene where Leroy plunges his head into the tank, his face actually hits the pipe. A small bloody scratch can be seen on Eddie’s eyebrow at some point after Leroy pulls him from the Tank.
10. Julius Carry’s Method Acting as Sho’Nuff On Set
Julius Carry’s commitment to his role as Sho’nuff was extraordinary. He remained in character throughout the filming process, often embodying the persona of a bullying antagonist both on and off set. He often teased Vanity about her music. Denise “Vanity” Matthews had a new album coming out, and she would play it for the cast. She was always asking Julius what he thought, and he would reply, “…it’s okay…” while winking at other cast members, unbeknownst to Vanity.
His dedication extended to his interactions with the cast and crew, as he pushed the boundaries to elicit genuine reactions. He was so convincing that some people on set, despite not being trained martial artists, thought he was. This level of commitment even led to moments of tension, such as one incident where he inadvertently angered Taimak, a real martial artist, resulting in a tense chase. Taimak explains the incident in this video:
11. Martial Arts Legitimacy
“The Last Dragon” added authenticity to its martial arts sequences by enlisting renowned real martial artists and fight coordinators from across the country. This infusion of real martial talent brought a heightened sense of realism to the fight scenes. In particular, the epic battle in 7th Heaven featured a roster of world-class fighters. Among them were notable professionals like Ernie Reyes Sr., Ron Van Clief, and the Cooke brothers, just to name a few.
One particularly special moment in the film was when young Ernie Reyes Jr. had the opportunity to face off against his own father, Ernie Reyes Sr., in a fight scene, creating a memorable family dynamic on screen.
It’s worth noting that the decision to use real martial artists instead of solely relying on stunt performers led to some intense moments during filming. Julius Carry, who portrayed Sho’nuff, found himself on the receiving end of multiple hits from the fighters rather than stunt performers. Despite the physical toll, Carry’s professionalism and dedication to the role shone through as he persevered to deliver a compelling performance.
12. The Cast and Crew Love The Film
The love for “The Last Dragon” extends far beyond the confines of the movie screen. The cast and crew share a profound affection for the film and the memories they created while making it. Despite the various roles actors like Christopher Murney, Mike Starr, and Faith Prince have played throughout their careers, the enduring popularity of this 80s classic continues to amaze them. They are genuinely touched by the multitude of fans who reach out to discuss their experiences with “The Last Dragon.”
Furthermore, when the cast and crew reunite, it’s clear that the bonds formed during production have endured the test of time. Even after nearly three decades apart, the first thing Ernie Reyes Jr. and Glen Eaton did when they saw each other was the iconic patty cake handshake, rekindling their connection and showcasing the lasting impact of their time on set.
Additionally, I was so happy when I had the opportunity to meet Julius Carry’s mother and learn that Julius was fully aware of how much his portrayal of Sho’nuff was cherished by fans. It warmed my heart to discover that he had a profound affection for his role as Sho’nuff and frequently spoke fondly of both the character and the movie. This was a question that had always intrigued me.
13. A Sequel Was Planned in the 80s
Despite discussions about sequels, remakes, and spin-offs over the years, a true sequel to “The Last Dragon” never materialized. Interestingly, there were plans for a sequel back in the 80s, and rumors suggest that a script was actually written. Reportedly, the story would have delved deeper into the origins of the glow and explored new powers it would bestow upon Leroy. However, the sequel’s progress was hindered by Taimak’s refusal to accept a lowball offer and Berry Gordy’s insistence on doing things “his way or the highway.”
Nevertheless, fans can now anticipate new developments in “The Last Dragon” universe. The original writer, Louis Venosta, holds the rights to future stories and is actively working on expanding the franchise through comic books, prequels, sequels, video games, music, and more. Exciting times lie ahead for “The Last Dragon” enthusiasts!
Embracing the Glow: ‘The Last Dragon’ Continues to Inspire, 40 Years Later
These 13 aspects offer a deeper appreciation for the magic and mystique of “The Last Dragon.” As fans eagerly await the film’s 40th-anniversary celebration and potential new projects, it’s clear that Leroy Green’s journey from naive, “weirdo” to becoming “The Last Dragon” continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world. Stay tuned for upcoming updates on Venosta’s next Last Dragon project and the 40th Anniversary celebration set to take place at the 2024 Urban Action Showcase & Expo in NYC during the first week in November.
Written by Craig “thelastglow” Sutton
TheLastDragonTribute.com is an online community for fans of the 80’s Motown martial arts cult classic THE LAST DRAGON. Using our web and social media presence our mission is to bring together fans from all over the world to help keep the Glow alive! We delve into all things The Last Dragon, Bruce Lee, and Martial Arts Entertainment.
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Craig is the last glow for real! This is a great article and it answers so many questions about the last dragon …