Disney’s new adaption of a old Chinese narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan,” will take a story familiar to many Disney fans and give it the treatment one of the greatest warriors China has ever known deserves. The first teaser trailer and official movie poster were released today during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.
The live-action version stay closer to the original myth than Disney’s animated feature, but you’ll still recognize some of the iconic set pieces. What you won’t see are the dragon Mushu or Li Shang (characters created by Disney for the animated film).
In a significant way, the live-action Mulan movie fits squarely into Disney CEO Bob Iger’s pivot to Asia. If it also serves to expose a wider audience to deserving actors and other cultures, then that is a win too.
About Disney’s Mulan:
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.
“Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.”
Disney’s “Mulan” opens in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020.