A still from Disney's original 1998 animated film "Mulan." (Photo : Facebook/Mulan)
Whitewashing has been so rampant in Hollywood these days that fans are petitioning to have Asian actors cast for the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic "Mulan." Even renowned director Ang Lee suggests it would be best for the film to be crafted by an Asian director as well.
"Mulan" live-action movie is officially in the works at Disney, with the studio on the hunt for a director of the film. Lee was initially tapped to take on the director's chair, but he had to decline due to his prior commitment to "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk."
Lee is a favorite to work on "Mulan," having flawlessly executed martial arts-driven films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," as well as visually jaw-dropping and heart-tugging stories like "Life of Pi." Even though he passed on the project, Lee suggest that it would be great to see an Asian director doing "Mulan" live-action, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The script for the "Mulan" live-adaptation movie will be penned by "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and "Jurassic World" writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Jason Reed, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner are attached to produce the live action adaptation.
Collider also reported that Disney will cast Chinese actors for main roles. A global casting search is underway as the studio looks for a Chinese actress who can portray the legendary female heroine in the big screen. Disney is reportedly fast-tracking the production for "Mulan," as it has set its release date to Nov. 2, 2018.
"Mulan" is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, a young girl who disguises herself as man in order to take his ailing father's place in the army and go to war. In the 1998 animated film "Mulan," the titular character was aided by a spirit dragon named Mushu as she trains to become a skilled warrior before she faces that Hun army and protect China. It is one of Disney's most successful animated movies, having earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.
"Mulan" is one of the many live-action retellings coming up from Disney soon. So far "Lion King" and "Jungle Book 2" have been confirmed to go into production very soon.
