Although esteemed director Ang Lee has passed up work on the "Mulan" live-action adaptation, he's hoping that Disney is indeed going to be dominated by an Asian cast and crew. Ang Lee was Disney's original choice to helm "Mulan," but because of prior commitments he said no to the offer.
Ang Lee told The Hollywood Reporter that it would be great if another Asian director will be doing the "Mulan" live-action. But if the pickings are slim, the director wants "whoever does the best job" in delivering an American movie.
Disney's live-action version of "Mulan" has already been scheduled for a Nov. 2, 2018 theater release. In early November, casting announcements were officially made public through a Hollywood casting agent on Facebook.
The details note that the "Mulan" live-action movie by Disney will be led by Asian actors who can speak fluent English and Chinese, and who has Martial arts training. The casting crew is currently in Hawaii to look for its potential leads, KHON reports. But it is believed that the search is open to other actors globally.
According to Honolulu Magazine, actors who would be fortunate to land a part in the "Mulan" live-action production will have to be based in China for six months. Filming is expected to be conducted from April 2017 until October 2017.
Walt Disney Pictures has tapped Mulan as their next Disney animated character to remake into a live-action movie pic.twitter.com/VrEZttnLcx
— Disney Memories ღ (@DisneysSecrets) November 23, 2016
Disney fans have asked the studio to avoid whitewashing its "Mulan" live-action production. But Disney has made it known that it will be committed to the film's authenticity, after rumors that the lead character Mulan might be paired with a Caucasian love interest.
"Mulan" is based on a Chinese poem, the "Ballad of Hua Mulan." She was believed to have enlisted in the Chinese army in in place of her aging father and fought wars in the years 420-589. Though she is not in Chinese history books, Mulan is treated as a legendary character in China's rich folklore.
Sony is also producing its own live-action take on the legendary character, which will be directed by Alex Graves. Keep checking back to this site for more updates about "Mulan" from Disney.
