Mulan is a 2020 American action drama film directed by Niki Caro, with the screenplay by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin, composed and created by Walt Disney Pictures, and delivered by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The movie has been based on the Chinese folklore “The Ballad of Mulan” and is also a live-action transformation of Disney’s 1998 lively film on the same name.
The story revolves around the Emperor of China who mandates a legal announcement and decision that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to protect and contend the nation from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of a dignified and respected warrior, steps in to take the place of feeble and diseased father. Disguising as a man, Hua Jun, is tested at every step of the way and harnesses her inner-strength and grasps her true potential. It is a legendary saga journey that transforms her into a dignified and respectful warrior and helps her earn the respect of a pleased and thankful nation and a proud father.
Cast
•Liu Yifei as Mulan, the mature female child of Hua Zhou.
•Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, the high established chief of the Imperial Army and coach and guide to Mulan.
•Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan, a Rouran fighter.
•Yoson An as Chen Honghui, a bold, certain and determined recruit who joins Commander Tung’s unit.
•Gong Li as Xian Lang, a capable and dominant spell caster.
•Jet Li as The Emperor of China, a wise philanthropic monarch of China
•Tzi Ma as Hua Zhou, Mulan’s paternal parent and a noted and skilled war veteran.
•Rosalind Chao as Hua Li, Mulan’s maternal parent and Zhou’s spouse.
•Xana Tang as Hua Xiu, Mulan’s youthful sibling.
•Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang
•Jimmy Wong as Ling a new comer who accompanies captain Tung’s unit
•Doua Moua as Chien-Po a newcomer who accompanies Captain Tung’s unit
•Chen Tang as Yao, a newcomer who accompanies Captain Tung’s unit.
•Nelson Lee as The Chancellor,
•Cheng Pei-pei as The Matchmaker
•Utkarsh Ambudkar as Skatch
•Chum Ehelepola as Ramtish
•Arka Das as Red Fez
•Jun Yu as Cricket, an archer.
Release
Mulan was due and expected to have its world premiere in Los Angeles on March 9, but due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which forced Disney to delay the film’s theatrical release. Later it was settled that the movie would hit theatres around the world starting from the 22nd of July, and land in the US cinemas on 24th of July. A China release date has yet to be announced.
Liu Yifei, who is also famously known as Crystal Liu, is a Chinese actress, singer and model. She is extensively and broadly acknowledged as Fairy Sister in the entertainment industry and was also named as one of the New Four Dan actresses of China in 2009.
Controversy
In August 2019, Liu reshared an image uploaded by a Chinese newspaper People’s Daily. The image contained a quote from a Chinese reporter Fu Guohao who worked for the Global Times and was later attacked by activists during the 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests: “I support Hong Kong police. You can beat me now. What a shame for Hong Kong.” This stimulated and provoked international differences and discussions, with Liu being damned of upholding police atrocity. The hashtag, #BoycottMulan, has since started trending supporting a boycott of the movie. Also when in an interview she called herself “Asian” instead of “Chinese”.
As soon as the public turned against Liu Yifei for calling herself “Asian” instead of “Chinese,” the Chinese internet is gaga once again over the Mulan star thanks to a recently released audition video.
Recent Audition Video
Director Niki Caro posted a short video of the Chinese actress’s first audition for the title role on Instagram earlier today. In the video, a fresh-faced Liu can be heard in character as Mulan, talking about chasing rabbits on a horse with her mother.
Director Caro also captioned the video on details of how she completed her audition with no sleep after the flight from Beijing to the US.
Disney projects of this year and upcoming years –
1. Call of the wild- based on a classic novel, centers on a sled dog that struggles for survival in the Alaskan wilderness.
2. Onward – is on two teenage elf brothers who are in eager to embark a quest to learn once and for all if magic still exists.
3. Mulan
4. Black widow
5. Artemis fowl- It follows a young Irish criminal genius named Artemis Fowl II, as he casually kidnaps a fairy leprechaun for ransom in order to restore his family fortune.
6. Soul- In Soul, a musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul
7. Jungle cruise
8. The one and only Ivan- heartwarming animated story about a gorilla named Ivan (Rockwell) who partners with an elephant named Stella (Jolie) to escape from captivity.
9. Eternals- tells the story of a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and helped shape its history
10. Raya and the last dragon – about a warrior named Raya who tries to find the last dragon in an ancient civilization.
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