Quick Hit:
The cinematic world of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is set for a high-profile revival as Amazon teams up with Sony Pictures Television to develop a series adaptation. Spearheaded by acclaimed producers Jason Ning and Ron Moore, the project will explore the emotional and spiritual conflicts of its legendary warriors while drawing from the same literary universe that inspired Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning film.
Key Details:
The series is being developed by Amazon’s Prime Video in partnership with Sony Pictures Television.
Jason Ning (Lucifer, The Brother Sun) and Ron Moore (Outlander, Battlestar Galactica) are executive producing.
The adaptation is based on Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron Pentalogy, the same source material as the 2000 film.
Diving Deeper:
Amazon Studios is moving forward with a television adaptation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the iconic wuxia film that redefined martial arts cinema for global audiences. Developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television, the series promises a sweeping return to the rich tapestry of mythology, romance, and martial artistry that captivated audiences nearly 25 years ago.
The series will draw directly from Wang Dulu’s Crane-Iron Pentalogy, a five-part novel series that served as the foundation for director Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed 2000 film. That movie, starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-Fat, and Zhang Ziyi, became a worldwide phenomenon and secured four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography.
Set against breathtaking backdrops and filled with high-stakes swordplay, the series will revisit the emotional journey of Shu Lien and Mu Bai — two warriors navigating the push and pull of duty, honor, and forbidden love. The official logline teases a dramatic tension between clinging to tradition and embracing a shared future, echoing the emotional core that made the original film so powerful.
Jason Ning, whose credits include Lucifer and Netflix’s The Brother Sun, will serve as writer and executive producer. He’s joined by genre veteran Ron Moore, known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and Outlander, as well as Maril Davis from Tall Ship Productions. Other executive producers include Johnny Levin, Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, and representatives from the Wang Dulu estate — Hong Wang and Qin Wang. Ying Lou will serve as co-executive producer.
Sony’s involvement is particularly notable, as the studio originally released Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon under its Sony Pictures Classics label. Their continued stewardship of the intellectual property reinforces the project’s cinematic pedigree and global appeal.
Though casting details and a premiere date have not yet been announced, Amazon’s investment in prestige genre storytelling — including recent hits like The Wheel of Time and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power — signals high expectations for this martial arts saga’s return.
The series not only taps into global nostalgia but also opens the door to renewed interest in Eastern storytelling traditions at a time when American entertainment is increasingly sourcing ideas from abroad. Whether the new adaptation will capture the poetic action and emotional depth of its predecessor remains to be seen, but expectations are undeniably high.