Just when I thought the new reinterpretation of Mulan – aka my absolute favourite Disney princess – couldn’t be more perfect in Ralph
Breaks The Internet, Disney go and shatter my expectations yet again.
A big-budget, live-action remake of Disney’s 1998 Mulan movie officially began production on August 13 and the occasion was marked with an announcement over Twitter.
As a bonus, the very first still image of Mulan was also attached and, guys, she looks like an absolute BADASS.
Production has begun on Disney’s live-action #Mulan!
The film will open in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020. pic.twitter.com/g8CiYoLHjZ
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) August 13, 2018
Portrayed by Chinese actress Liu Yifei, this live-action version of Mulan is everything I could ask for.
Wielding that sword like a feather duster and looking like she could strike me down with her gaze alone, there’s no doubt that the new Mulan can get down to freaking business and defeat the Huns while still having enough time to make a man out of us all.
Liu Yifei’s pitch-perfect take on the character isn’t the only thing that the upcoming Mulan movie has got going for it.
Firstly, it has a whopping $290 MILLION dollar budget, which easily makes it one of the most expensive movies ever and a number I only wish existed in my back account.
And then there’s the cast, which is absolutely stacked with Chinese superstars. There’s screen legend Gong Li playing the evil witch antagonist, martial arts supremo Donnie Yen as Mulan’s mentor and commander, and Jet freaking Li as the Emperor of China. Whew, just shoot me now.
Now I must stress that this version of Mulan is a “loose” remake of the 1998 animated movie, which means we have no idea if Mushu will be turning up.
And interestingly, Li Shang is also gone and replaced by new character called Chen Honghui, who is just a mere recruit in the new movie.
It’s too early to cast judgment about whether this is a good creative decision. But for what it’s worth, I think the actor, Yoson An, looks darn well-suited for the part of Mulan’s confidant and love interest.
The live-action Mulan movie doesn’t come out until March 2020, which is literally a lifetime away, so there’s a long wait ahead of us before we get to see a badass Chinese woman kick the crap out of some Huns.
In the meantime, constant rewatches of Disney’s Mulan and repeated listens of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” will be on the agenda until a trailer drops.