Commander Tung is a character in the 2020 live-action Disney film Mulan. He is the mentor and teacher to Mulan who leads the Imperial Regiment.
Role in the film[]
Tung is first seen approaching Mulan (disguised as Hua Jun) stopping the argument between Chen Honghui and Mulan which Tung warns the two that fighting will not be tolerated. As Mulan tells him that she is "Hua Jun, son of Hua Zhou", she shows Tung the sword that Hua Zhou used during battle which Tung tells the Imperial Army to fall in line to get themselves cleaned to help them get ready for battle. The next day when Sergeant Qiang tells the soldiers to get ready for battle, Tung then instructs his fellow soldiers to watch his sword movements carefully which the soldiers copy his movements which the some of the soldiers have trouble copying exactly what Tung is doing. The next day, Tung approaches Mulan using the power of chi while the other soldiers are training themselves to get ready for battle which Tung prevents Sergeant Qiang from scolding Mulan just as the other soldiers react to her chi. After a tough training and the Imperial Army readies themselves for battle, Sergeant Qiang tells Mulan to report to Commander Tung.
Mulan approaches Commander Tung, who tells her that he has been sensing her secret, telling her that her father Hua Zhou was a great soldier, warning Mulan that she can't allow her father's legacy to hold her back, convincing Mulan to cultivate her chi. As Mulan focuses on her chi, Tung narrates that the chi pervades the universe and all living things, but only the one true master connects deeply to his chi to become a great warrior.
The next day, Tung commands the Imperial Army, telling them that the Rourans are attacking them, while Sergeant Qiang plans to lead the army to protect the Mountain-Steppe Garrison from the Rourans, telling his army to take the oath of the warrior pledging fidelity to the three pillars of virtue, devising a strategy to fight against the Rourans by telling the soldiers about the virtues of being loyal, brave, and true as they raise their swords. Mulan talks to Tung again that he needs to confess about something that weighs heavily on her heart about the virtues of being loyal, brave, and true, which Tung tells him that Mulan there is no shame in being fearful before battle, telling her that it's a testament to her honesty that Mulan should confess about. Tung tells her that Mulan that she has good intentions, telling her that she could accompany him to his village which Mulan tells her that it is her great honor, which Tung replies that he looks forward in seeing Hua Zhou when she gives him the news.
As the Imperial Army approaches the Mountain-Steppe Garrison at a nearby fort, Tung plans to consult with the Garrison to help bring reinforcements to fight against Böri Khan and win the war against the Rouran army. Tung then participates during the battle against the Rouran army just as the Imperial Army clashes with the Rourans throughout the battle. Throughout the battle, Xianniang transforms into thousands of blackbirds to attack Tung and the rest of the Imperial Army while Mulan plans to trick the Rourans into firing a flaming boulder onto a snowy mountain, causing an avalanche to engulf the Rourans. After the avalanche, Tung reports to his army that the Rourans have been defeated, alerting Sergeant Qiang to regroup the army while trying to look for "Hua Jun". When Tung figures out that "Hua Jun" was actually Mulan in disguise the whole time, he scolds Mulan for bringing dishonor to the Hua family, banishing Mulan from the army.
After Mulan learns of Xianniang warning her that the Imperial City is under attack by the Rourans, Mulan approaches Tung at the Mountain-Steppe Garrison where she warns him that the Rourans have invaded the city even though she was banished from the army, which Tung refuses to believe at first, but after Mulan tells the army that they must believe in her, Yao, Ling, Po, Cricket, and the other warriors accept while Tung tells Qiang to hand him his sword so he can ready himself for battle. After listening to what Mulan is saying, Tung gains faith in her and agrees to help Mulan save the Imperial City by fighting off Böri Khan and his army. Tung and the rest of the Imperial Army fight against the Rourans at the Imperial City while Mulan plans to protect the Emperor. The battle ends after Mulan kills Böri Khan throwing his own arrow at him, resulting in victory for the Imperial Army.
After Mulan returns home, Commander Tung approaches Hua Zhou whom he recognizes he is an old friend of his as he tells Tung to get past him, which Tung denies, telling him that this is unnecessary, followed by Sergeant Qiang honoring Mulan for saving the dynasty and the kingdom, which Tung honors Mulan bringing honor to her ancestors, family, village, and country as Qiang describes the new sword being marked with the four pillars of virtue of being loyal, brave, true, and devotion to the family just as Mulan is praised for saving the Imperial City.
Trivia[]
- He is one of the several brand-new characters created for the live-action film.
- He once fought together with Hua Zhou in the past.
- Both Chen Honghui and Commander Tung are loosely based on Li Shang, Mulan's love interest in the original animated film. While the latter resembles Li Shang appearance-wise yet different in terms of personality, the former fulfills his character basis's position as Mulan's lover in the remake.
- According to producer Jason Reed, the decision to omit Shang from the movie was partially inspired by the #MeToo movement, under the belief that having the commanding officer of an army serve as a "sexual love interest" was inappropriate. Instead, Shang’s role was split into two new characters; one is Commander Tung, the General and a mentor figure to Mulan. The other is Honghui, one of Milan’s army peers who eventually becomes her love interest. This decision was met with notable controversy.[2]
- During the part where Mulan is focusing on her chi, Tung quotes the line, "Tranquil as a forest, but on fire within"; this is a line from the song "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from the original 1998 film, although it was not physically sung in the remake.
Gallery[]
_-_Commander_Tung.jpeg "Mulan (2020) - Commander Tung.jpeg (852 KB)")
_-_Commander_Tung_2.jpeg "Mulan (2020) - Commander Tung 2.jpeg (91 KB)")
_(76).png "Mulan (2020 film) (76).png (1.81 MB)")
_(95).png "Mulan (2020 film) (95).png (1.69 MB)")
_-_Commander_Tung_2.jpg "Mulan (2020) - Commander Tung 2.jpg (2.11 MB)")
References[]
- ↑ Szany, Wendy Lee (February 27, 2020). "‘Mulan’: The Biggest Changes from the Animated Version in Disney’s Live-Action Remake". Collider. Retrieved on February 27, 2020.
- ↑ Maleh, Linda (February 28, 2020). "Disney Blames #MeToo For Li Shang’s Absence From ‘Mulan’ In New Controversy". Forbes. Retrieved on February 28, 2020.
