For all my Disney lovers, especially for the ones who love the classics, this should be exciting news! In the upcoming live-action adaptation of Mulan, after a long search, the leading lady has been casted and will be played by Chinese actress, Liu Yifei—also known as Crystal Liu.
Liu Yifei is very well known amongst the Chinese public for her singing and modeling, and has been featured in major films that has gained her credibility. She acted in 2008’s The Forbidden Kingdom, alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li, as well as 2014’s Outcast with Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen.
The film will be inspired by the poem, Ballad of Mulan, as well as 1998’s animated film, Mulan. The casting directors were looking for someone who had the ability to speak English and martial art skills that will be a huge necessity in the film. Liu Yifei seems like the perfect pick for the warrior princess. She has a past in action related roles, so the sword fighting and martial arts elements won’t be a problem.
There are already live-adaptations of Disney properties such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Maleficent, and The Jungle Book. We can soon add Mulan to the list as well as Aladdin (which is to be released in 2019). Other films in the works include The Lion King remake, Tink, and Cruella.
Disney is making it a point to cast an all-Chinese cast because several Hollywood studios have received criticism for whitewashing their characters, as they tried to do with Aladdin as well. This is just the beginning; there haven’t been any other castings for this film that have been released to the public.
There isn’t a confirmed release date for the film yet, but it is speculated to release in 2019 according to IMDb. The anticipation is real! If you haven’t watched the animated version of Mulan, please go do so now!
Btw. Here’s a song we all know and love!