Disney Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Disney Wiki

This is a deleted scene from Mulan during earlier production that was focused on Shan Yu and his army destroying and burning a village. The scene is also known for featuring an unused concept of Shan Yu having a spiritual connection to his falcon Hayabusa and having the ability to see through his eyes. According to Tony Bancroft they originally were trying to figure out who and what Shan Yu's character should be like so they came up with him being a mystical or spiritual character who had a supernatural connection to his falcon and the scene was to show and explore a little bit of Shan Yu's character. However this scene cut because it meant taking away focus and exploring the titular character Fa Mulan. The scene is also known as being one of the darkest and most graphic deleted scenes in Disney films.

Storyline[]

In this storyboarded scene the Hun Army is shown at their camp at night after burning a village (which is briefly shown burning in the background as the camera pans across the scene). they then push over a wagon filled with Chinese goods and start tossing everything they can get their hands on into a fire pit. A short lone Hun then spots a cage with a living canary inside tossed aside by the other soldiers. The Hun rushes over to the cage, clearly taking pity on the canary, then making sure the other soldiers aren't looking, he takes the bird and hides it away in his shirt before quickly rushing back to join the others. Unfortunately, what he doesn't know is that Shan Yu's falcon Hayabusa is watching him on a perch from behind. The angry falcon's eyes glow bright yellow meaning Shan Yu has seen what the soldier has done.

Shan Yu then comes out from his yurt next to where Hayabusa is perched. He demands his men to tell him the truth if they have left anything alive. The Huns all shout that they have left absolutely nothing alive. However, Shan Yu smirks and approaches the short Hun, asking him if he is sure they've killed everything. The short man fearfully lies to him, and Shan Yu pulls the canary out of his shirt and holds it as it by its wings as it chirps in fear. Shan Yu then sneers at the short Hun's "little friend" and says that all creatures should be given a chance at freedom, letting the canary fly away. But then he says that freedom is not without its consequences and those he deems weak will be punished. As Shan Yu says all this, Hayabusa takes off after the fleeing canary and catches it. At the same time that the falcon catches and kills the canary, Shan Yu brutally stabs the short Hun in the chest with his sword. The soldier gasps in pain and then falls to the ground dead. Shan Yu pulls his sword out of the body and clearly wipes the man's blood off the blade. Shan Yu then tells his Huns that The Emperor of China will share the fate of his short soldier, boasting that they are strong and unstoppable. The rest of the Huns appear completely unfazed by their leader's cruel act and give a rousing roaring cheer of respect and loyalty to their leader.

Hayabusa then comes back and perches on Shan Yu's gloved hand. He then tells his pet to show him what obstacles stand between them and the Imperial City. As he gives his instructions, his and Hayabusa's eyes both glow bright yellow to show the eerie supernatural connection between them. Hayabusa then takes off into the night sky ending the scene.

Trivia[]

  • Despite Tony Bancroft claiming the scene was cut due to taking away focus on Mulan's character there are two other possible reasons as to why this scene was cut:
    • It was too dark, scary and graphic so it was cut to prevent the film from getting a PG rating.
    • The concept of Shan Yu just having the magic power of seeing through Hayabusa's eyes to see where his enemies are might have been seen as a little too cheap and easy so they replaced it with the doll scene in order to show off Shan Yu's and his Elite Hun Soldiers's intelligence and tracking skills by analysing the doll to pinpoint the location of the Imperial Army as a more realistic approach.
  • Shan Yu's unused power of seeing through Hayabusa's eyes is one of two possible reasons as to why his eyes are black (the other being scleral tattooing). It is likely that his eyes were kept black despite the power not making it into the final product due to it making him look more intimidating. However it is also possible that Shan Yu might have still possessed this power only he simply chose to not use it during the movie's events or it was just used by him off screen.
  • Shan Yu calling Hayabusa his friend seems to imply he does care or has some level of attachment to Hayabusa.

Gallery[]


v - e - d
Mulan Logo
Media
Films: Mulan (1998 film) (video/soundtrack) • Mulan II (video/soundtrack) • Mulan (2020 film) (video/soundtrack)

Video Games: Animated StoryBook: MulanDisney's MulanKingdom Hearts IIDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Crossy RoadDisney Magic KingdomsDisney Sorcerer's ArenaDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Speedstorm
Books: The Art of MulanDisney Princess BeginningsReflection (A Twisted Tale)Kilala PrincessFeather and Flame

Disney Parks
Castle of Magical DreamsDisney Animation BuildingFantasy GardensGarden of the Twelve FriendsIt's a Small WorldVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Entertainment: Cinderella's Surprise CelebrationDisney's WishesFantasmic!Mickey and the Magical MapMickey’s Storybook AdventureMickey’s Year of the Dragon CelebrationMulan's Chinese New Year GreetingsMulan, La LégendeOnce Upon a MouseRoyal Princess Music CelebrationThe Golden Mickeys
Restaurants: Plaza Inn
Parades: Disney Adventure Friends CavalcadeMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey's New Year's Eve ParadeMickey's Rainy Day ExpressMickey's Storybook ExpressMulan Parade
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationDisney in the StarsDisney Movie MagicHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousHurry Home: Lunar New Year CelebrationIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightMomentousWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!
Summer: Mickey's WaterWorks
Halloween: The Disney Villains Halloween Showtime
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Characters
Original: Fa MulanMushuCri-KeeLi ShangYao, Ling, and Chien PoChi-FuShan YuGeneral LiFa ZhouFa LiGrandmother FaFirst Ancestor FaFa Family AncestorsThe Emperor of ChinaThe MatchmakerLittle BrotherKhanShang's HorseHayabusa the FalconImperial ArmyHun ArmyElite Hun Soldiers

Sequel: Sha-RonTing-Ting, Su, and MeiLord QinPrince Jeeki
Remake: Hua XiuCommander TungChen HonghuiSergeant QiangPhoenix

Songs
Original: Honor to Us AllReflectionI'll Make a Man Out of YouA Girl Worth Fighting ForTrue to Your Heart

Sequel: Lesson Number OneLike Other GirlsHere Beside Me
Live-action: Loyal Brave True
Deleted songs: Keep 'em GuessingWritten in Stone

Locations
ChinaImperial CityFa Family HomeVillageFa Family Temple
Objects
Great Stone DragonMulan's Hair AccessorySword of Shan YuMulan and Shang's NecklacesGolden Dragon of UnityDragon Cannons
See Also
Mulan: Alternative OpeningMulan: Shan Yu Destroys the Village
Advertisement