Disney Nails The Casting For Mulan In Their Live Action Mulan
We've had some ups and downs with live action remakes but we are stoked about this one!
As Disney continues down their adventurous path of re-making beloved animated classics into live-action masterpieces the world full of Disney addicts has been following along for every tidbit they can get their paws on and the latest that has us foaming at the mouth is the upcoming live-action Mulan.
With a history that includes being regularly accused of white-washing their characters and stories a lot of controversies has arisen has movies like Aladdin and Mulan are in the process of being cast and we have waited fairly impatiently to see if Disney does right by this culturally rich movie.
We are all cheering as Disney totally nails their casting the lead for Mulan with Liu Yifei. The Chinese actress also known as Crystal Liu is already a fairly familiar presence in some killer movies like the martial arts movie The Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan and Jet Li!
Let's dive in and soak up all the information we can on the whole story!
1. Crystal Liu
Cast as Mulan, a princess and a warrior, in the upcoming live-action remake of the original animated movie from 1998 and is set to hit theaters in 2019!
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2. It was a long search.
Finding just the right star to play a Disney Princess AND martial arts war hero was not easy.
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3. And the people demanded this one be done right!
Mulan was and is a hero of a Princess character to children everywhere, breaking the mold in what defines a Disney Princess.
Disney
4. She's no secret!
Liu is an award-winning actor in China and that's not all we know about her.
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5. Liu is well known.
Along with being a world-famous actor, Liu is a brand ambassador for Dior, Pantene, and Garnier.
Sinaimg
6. Originally...
Fans began this journey absolutely furious to hear the live-action film would not include beloved Disney songs.
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7. But they are positively rallying around Liu.
I mean they are really excited!8. So excited!
People are cheering enthusiastically.9. Ming-Na Wen
The original voice of the 1998 animated Mulan Disney produced served the character well.
LA Confidential - Magazine
10. Now it's time to pass the torch.
And Liu is most certainly the perfect fit.
Crystal Liu Yifei
11. And Ming Na Wen has given a huge stamp of approval!
Which we LOVE.12. At the helm:
Set to direct the live-action adaptation is Niki Caro. She recently directed "The Zookeeper's Wife."
New York Times
13. The responses on Twitter to the choice to cast Liu have been incredible.
Is Hollywood finally listening to the accusations of white washing and taking things seriously?14. Celebrate!
We are stoked, too.To clarify, from the moment a live-action adaptation of Mulan was announced the Internet has been roaring, insisting that Disney cast this movie properly. There was even an on-line petition at one point, demanding an Asian actress in the role of Mulan. The petition landed over 100,000 signatures and after the announcement of Liu's casting in the place the petition was "closed," and deemed a success!
China-based Internet users are definitely cheering the decision as well considering the cultural significance Mulan has. One commenter said of Liu:
She completely fits the role. Needs to know martial arts, can also speak English, has star quality - it definitely should be Liu Yifei.
15. What's up with the controversey?
Hollywood has been accused of white-washing Asian movies a LOT lately. Case in point: the great debate over Scarlet Johnson playing the main role in "Ghost in the Shell."
HDWP
16. But Hollywood has fighters!
British actor Ed Skrein was originally cast to play the role of an Asian character in the highly anticipated Hellboy reboot but he pulled out of the role! Stating his reasoning so that the character could be "cast appropriately". The role then went to Daniel Dae Kim, a well-known Korean-American actor.
HeroicHollywood
17. The wait has been long.
It may have taken an entire year to cast the role of Mulan but it appears to safe to say it was a worthy wait with their choice to cast Liu.
Hollywood Reporter
18. Seriously, do you know what it took for them to cast this role?
It took an entire team of casting directors who visited 5 continents and saw nearly 1,000 candidates for the role to find its closure in Liu.
Tenor
19. Liu is the perfect fit.
After living in New York for part of her childhood, Liu speaks fluent English which was one of the many requirements for the role.
Spcnet
20. But more importantly:
The role of Mulan needed a powerful punch of star quality and has been one of China's most popular actresses of the current generation for over a decade.
YummyCelebrities
21. Only one thing remains:
The wait to see this surely awesome movie. We are so excited!
Vanity Fair
Elana
