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This article is about the 2020 live-action film. For the character, see Fa Mulan. For the 1998 film of the same name, see Mulan.
Mulan is an upcoming 2020 American action drama film directed by Niki Caro, with the screenplay by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is based on the Chinese folklore "The Ballad of Mulan" and is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1998 animated film of the same name. The film stars Liu Yifei in the title role, alongside Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Gong Li, and Jet Li in supporting roles.
Plans for a live-action Mulan remake began in 2010, but the project never came to fruition. In March 2015, a new attempt was announced and Caro was hired to direct in February 2017. Liu was cast in the title role in November 2017, following a casting call of 1,000 actresses, and the rest of the cast joined over the following year. Filming began in August 2018 and lasted through November, taking place in New Zealand and China.
Mulan is the first live-action remake from Disney to be given a PG-13 rating by the MPAA.[3] Originally scheduled to be released in the United States on March 27, 2020, the film's release has been delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Disney eventually announced that it would instead be released on September 4, 2020 on Disney+ for a premium fee in countries where the service had launched. It will have a traditional theatrical release in foreign countries without Disney+ and where theaters have re-opened.[2] The title will be unlocked to all Disney+ subscribers on December 4, 2020, three months after the premier access, regardless of an independent purchase.[5]
Premise
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 by earning her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.
Cast
- Liu Yifei as Hua Mulan[6]
- Crystal Rao as Young Hua Mulan
- Donnie Yen as Commander Tung[7]
- Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan, a warrior leader allied with Xian Lang[8]
- Yoson An as Chen Honghui, Mulan's rival who becomes a love interest[9]
- Gong Li as Xian Lang, a powerful evil witch[10]
- Jet Li as the Emperor of China[10]
- Tzi Ma as Hua Zhou, Mulan's father[11]
- Rosalind Chao as Hua Li, Mulan's mother and Zhou's wife.[11]
- Xana Tang as Hua Xiu, Mulan's sister[10]
- Elena Askin as Young Hua Xiu
- Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang[12]
- Jimmy Wong as Ling[13]
- Doua Moua as Po[13]
- Chen Tang as Yao[14]
- Nelson Lee as The Chancellor[11]
- Utkarsh Ambudkar as Skath, a con artist[12]
- Chum Ehelepola as Ramtish, a con artist[15]
- Cheng Pei-Pei as the Matchmaker[11]
- Radhesh Aria as Lee Xian.[16]
Development
The film was announced to be in development on March 30, 2015, to be produced by Chris Bender and J.C. Spike, with a script having been bought from writing team Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hayneck.[17] On October 4, 2016, the film was confirmed by Disney with a release date set for November 2, 2018. On February 14, 2017, Disney chose Niki Caro to direct the film and Bill Kong as executive producer, due to familiarity of the Chinese culture for the film.
On April 19, 2017, it was reported that Ming-Na Wen, the voice of Mulan in the original film, was in talks to possibly have a cameo in the film.[18] In July 2017, the film's release date was taken off the 2018 calendar with The Nutcracker and the Four Realms taking its place. On November 29, 2017, Liu Yifei was cast as Mulan.[6]
On March 1, 2018, the film was pushed back to March 27, 2020.[19] Production on the film began on August 13 along with the release for the first image of Liu Yifei as Mulan. Filming will take place in New Zealand and China.[11] On May 30, it was reported that Mushu will appear.[20] It was, however, later stated by the film's director that while the film will have a spiritual representation of Mulan's ancestors, Mushu will not be present.[21] Regarding the decision, director Niki Caro stated that the character of Mushu was irreplaceable and that the original film stands on its own in that regard.[22] Producer Jason Reed further stated that while the filmmakers loved Mushu, he was "not probably the most culturally acceptable solution to symbolize a dragon in Chinese language tradition." As such, Mulan receives a legendary guardian in the form of a phoenix within the film.[23]
The film's budget, over $200 million, is the priciest of any Disney's live-action remakes to date. This has placed added pressure on the film to perform especially well, even before the threat from the coronavirus outbreak in China and associated markets. Controversy has also been stirred by star Liu Yifei in regard to her comments in favor of police in regard to the protests in Hong Kong.[24]
Release
The film's red-carpet premiere was at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 9, 2020. Mulan actress Yifei Liu appeared wearing a Elie Saab gown sporting small phoenix symbols and a long train. Christina Aguilera, known for her end-credits performance of "Reflection" in the original film and "Loyal Brave True" for the new film was also in attendance, along with Ming-Na Wen, voice of Fa Mulan in the original animated classic.[25]
Originally scheduled to premiere in the United States on March 27, 2020, the film's worldwide release has been delayed until July 24, 2020, in response to crowd concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.[26] In response to the delay, director Niki Caro wrote a letter to fans, stating that she hoped the fighting spirit of Mulan would inspire everyone working to keep people safe and praising the film's cast and crew.[27] On May 5, 2020, Disney CEO Bob Chapek indicated that the studio remained committed to the July 24th date, stating that "Our fingers are crossed. That's our first big movie out of the gate."[28] However, on June 24, 2020, it was reported that a source close to the film had indicated that Disney was weighing the possibility of again postponing the film.[29] On June 26, 2020, it was officially announced that the film had been delayed to a release date of August 21, 2020.[30] But on July 23, the film was stripped of its release date.[4] On August 4, 2020, it was announced that the film will premiere on Disney+ on September 4, 2020 at a price point of $29.99 and theatrically in markets where theaters are open and Disney+ is not available.[2] The decision was received poorly by U.K. cinema orders who reacted with colorful language, and Phil Clapp, head of the UK Cinema Association stated "The decision not to give cinemas the chance to play the film (even if day-and-date with Disney+) is frankly bewildering and something we’ve of course gone back to them on."[31] A French theater owner went viral with a video of him taking a baseball bat to a large stand-up Mulan display in his theater following the announcement.[32] The owner of AMC, however, empathized with Disney's decision, stating that AMC had faced similar pressures in the wake of the pandemic.[33] On August 11, 2020, Disney specifically confirmed that the film would be released theatrically in China.[34] On August 21, 2020, it was revealed that the title would also be made available to purchase via Apple, Roku and Google.[35] On August 29, 2020, Disney posted a banner on Disney+ stating the film would become available to all Disney+ subscribers on December 4, 2020, though this banner was later removed.[36] It was later confirmed on September 2 that the film would be made available to all Disney+ subscribers on December 4.[5]
Differences from the 1998 film
- Mulan's family name "Fa" has been changed to "Hua", which is the same name from the original legend.
- General Li Shang from the 1998 film is split into two characters: Commander Tung, her military commander and Chen Honghui, her love interest.[37]
- The villain character Bori Khan (played by Jason Scott Lee) takes the place of Shan Yu in the 1998 film.
- Shan Yu's goal in the original film is to conquer China while Bori Khan's goal in the remake is to avenge his father.
- Bori Khan is a Rouran descent instead of a Hun.
- The shapeshifting witch character Xian Lang takes the place of Hayabusa the Falcon.
- The Rouran Army takes the place of the Hun Army.
- Mulan is an only-child as shown in the 1998 film, while in the remake, she is said to have a sister named Hua Xiu (played by Xana Tang). She did have a brother in the original legend.
- While the film will pay tribute to the songs of the original film, it will not have musical numbers.[21] However, Christina Aguilera, who performed a pop version of "Reflection" for the original film, returns to perform a new song titled "Loyal Brave True"[38]. Aguilera has recorded a new version of "Reflection" for the film's soundtrack.[39]
- In the remake, Mulan not only wraps her hair into a bun, but also wears a helmet alongside her father's armor before departing to join the army. In the original film, she never wore a helmet before leaving her home.
- In the 1998 movie, Mulan lies to General Shang about her name being Ping as a disguise to get into the army, but in this movie, she doesn't say her name is Ping. She tells Commander Tung her name is Hua Jun instead.
- Mushu, Cri-Kee, Mulan's pet dog Little Brother, General Li, and Grandmother Fa do not appear in the live-action movie.
- A phoenix shown in this film is an original character created for the remake which takes Mushu's role of being the symbol of her ancestors.
- In the original film, the Huns (Rourans) scale the Great Wall using grappling hooks. In this film, they instead run up and over the wall.
- The Great Wall is also shown to have a gate in this film, which the guards close upon seeing the Huns (Rourans).
- This scene occurs in the day instead of at night.
- In the original film, General Shang and Chancellor Chi-Fu find out about Fa Zhou by reading the scroll that Mulan had and believe that she is Fa Zhou's son. In the remake, Mulan instead simply tells Commander Tung and Chen Honghui that she is Hua Zhou's son.
- Chancellor Chi-Fu is never referred by name, only by his job as chancellor.
- The fight that was triggered at the camp while the soldiers are waiting in line for rice does not happen in the remake. Instead, a soldier pushes Mulan over and Chen Honghui tries to help her up, who then refuses his help. The two nearly get into a fight with their swords before Commander Tung stops them.
- Sergeant Qiang, Skatch, Ramtish, Red Fez, and Cricket are new characters that appear in the remake.
- The scene where Shang (Tung) and his fellow soldiers use a giant shishi statue to barge in the palace to fight against the Huns (Rourans) is omitted.
- In the original film, Mulan cuts her hair with her father's sword trying to look like a man in the army. In this film, she doesn't cut her hair short at all; instead, she keeps her long hair for the entire movie.
- Hua Zhou's sword bears the Chinese characters for "Loyal", "Brave", and "True" in the remake. In the original film, the sword did not have any writing on it.
Videos
Gallery
Trivia
- Actress Gong Li, who will play the evil witch character, Xian Lang, was also the inspiration for the 1998 animated version/counterpart of Mulan.
- This is the first live action remake of a Disney Animated Canon movie to be rated PG-13. Notably, the original film was rated G, and the film's PG-13 rating is stated to be entirely in relation to "sequences of violence."[40]
- Thus, it's also the second live action remake of a Disney Animated Canon movie not to be rated PG by the MPAA after 1996's 101 Dalmatians and 1998's direct-to-video film The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story, both of which were rated G.
- This is the second live action remake of a Disney Animated Canon movie that is released on Disney+, the first being Lady and the Tramp.
- This is the fourth Disney+ movie that was originally intended as a theatrical release, after Artemis Fowl, Hamilton, and The One and Only Ivan.
References
- ↑ "Harry Gregson-Williams to Score Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Live-Action Movie". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved on 24 Aug 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 4, 2020). "‘Mulan’ Going On Disney+ & Theaters In September; CEO Bob Chapek Says Decision Is “One-Off”, Not New Windows Model". Deadline. Retrieved on August 4, 2020.
- ↑ Rico, Klaritza (2020-02-19). "‘Mulan’ Is Disney’s First Live-Action Remake to Get a PG-13 Rating" (en). Variety.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Disney Unschedules 'Mulan,' Pushes Back 'Avatar' and 'Star Wars' Films a Year" (July 23, 2020). Retrieved on July 23, 2020.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Spangler, Todd (September 2, 2020). "‘Mulan’ Will Be Available to All Disney Plus Subscribers in December for No Extra Cos". Variety. Retrieved on September 2, 2020.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Disney's 'Mulan' Finds Its Star (Exclusive)". Hollywoodreporter.com (November 29, 2017). Retrieved on 2017-11-29.
- ↑ "Disney’s Live-Action Mulan Casts Rogue One’s Donnie Yen(Exclusive)". screentrant.com (April 11, 2018). Retrieved on 2018-04-11.
- ↑ "Disney's 'Mulan' Adds Jason Scott Lee". The Hollywood Reporter (July 25, 2018).
- ↑ "Mulan: Newcomer Yoson An Cast In Disney Live-Action Movie". Deadline. Retrieved on June 6, 2018.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Disney's Live-Action Mulan Lands Gong Li, Jet Li (Exclusive)". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved on April 12, 2018.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "Disney Shares First Look at Live-Action Mulan". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved on August 13, 2018.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "‘Mulan’: Utkarsh Ambudkar & Ron Yuan Added To Disney’s Live-Action Adaptation", Deadline (May 23, 2018). Retrieved on May 24, 2018.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Casts Jimmy Wong & Doua Moua". Deadline.com. Retrieved on August 14, 2018.
- ↑ Adrian Martinez Joins Disney’s ‘Lady and the Tramp’; ‘Mulan’ Adds Chen Tang
- ↑ "Disney Casts 'Mulan' Love Interest (Exclusive)". Hollywoodreorter.com. Retrieved on August 15, 2018.
- ↑ https://m.imdb.com/name/nm11273774/
- ↑ Disney Developing Live-Action MULAN Remake
- ↑ Ming-Na Wen talks Mulan live action
- ↑ "Disney's live-action Mulan pushed back to 2020". EntertainmentWeekly. Retrieved on March 1, 2018.
- ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Disney's MULAN Remake To Feature Music; Mushu To Appear". thedisinsider.com. Retrieved on May 30, 2019.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Evans, Nick (January 15, 2020). "Mulan Director Explains Why The Remake Won't Have Mushu Or Musical Numbers". Cinema Blend. Retrieved on January 16, 2020.
- ↑ Arguello, Toby (January 20, 2020). "Disney’s Live-Action Mulan Does NOT Have Mushu: Here’s Why". Screen Rant. Retrieved on January 21, 2020.
- ↑ "Mulan remake filmmakers clarify why they needed to slay Mushu and the well-known songs". BingePost (February 21, 2020). Retrieved on February 22, 2020.
- ↑ Ford, Rebecca (February 26, 2020). "Inside Disney's Bold $200M Gamble on 'Mulan': "The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher"", Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on February 29, 2020.
- ↑ "'Mulan' premiere: Christina Aguilera, Yifei Liu and more stun on the red carpet". USA Today (March 10, 2020).
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ Xinhua (March 13, 2020). "Disney postpones 'Mulan' movie release over COVID-19 concerns". The Nation. Retrieved on March 14, 2020.
- ↑ Alexander, Bryan (May 5, 2020). "'Fingers crossed': Disney keeps 'Mulan' theatrical release in July, banks on 'pent-up demand'". USA Today. Retrieved on May 6, 2020.
- ↑ Watson, R.T. (June 24, 2020). "Disney Weighs Postponing July 24 Release of ‘Mulan’ as Theaters Struggle to Reopen". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on June 25, 2020.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ Grater, Tom (August 5, 2020). "UK Cinema Owners Blindsided By Disney ‘Mulan’ Decision: “It’s A F*ck You To Exhibitors”". Deadline. Retrieved on August 5, 2020.
- ↑ "Theater Owner Destroys Mulan Poster". Yahoo! Entertainment (August 6, 2020). Retrieved on August 7, 2020.
- ↑ Bui, Hoai-Tran (August 7, 2020). "AMC Theatres CEO Understands Disney’s Decision to Release ‘Mulan’ on VOD, in Stark Contrast to ‘Trolls’ Reaction". Slashfilm. Retrieved on August 9, 2020.
- ↑ Grater, Tom (August 11, 2020). "Disney Confirms ‘Mulan’ China Theatrical Release". Deadline. Retrieved on August 11, 2020.
- ↑ Hayes, Dade (August 21, 2020). "Disney Adds Apple, Roku And Google For ‘Mulan’ PVOD Billing On Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved on August 22, 2020.
- ↑ "Mulan Releases To All Disney+ Subscribers For Free in December [UPDATED]". Screenrant (August 29, 2020). Retrieved on August 30, 2020.
- ↑ "‘Mulan’: Why Captain Li Shang Isn’t in the Live-Action Remake". Collider (February 27, 2020).
- ↑ "Disney’s Mulan". Walt Disney Studios (March 6, 2020). Retrieved on March 7, 2020.
- ↑ Kiefer, Halle (March 7, 2020). "How Does Christina Aguilera’s New Mulan Song Stack Up to ‘Reflection’?". Vulture. Retrieved on March 8, 2020.
- ↑ Mendelson, Scott (February 19, 2020). "For Disney’s ‘Mulan,’ A PG-13 Rating Is Both A Risk And A Flex". Forbes. Retrieved on February 19, 2020.
External links
- Mulan (2020 film) on Wikipedia
- Template:Imdb title
- Disney official website
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