Mulan in the original 90s film | Photo: Disney
Disney has announced that production has started on its live-action Mulan remake, while also releasing a photo of its star in costume.
Actress Liu Yifei will appear in the titular role of the film, which hits cinema screens in 2020.
The original animated movie was released in 1998.
The story is of course based on the ancient legend of woman warrior Hua Mulan. The folk tale challenges notions of gender, masculinity and femininity.
Production has begun on live-action #Mulan! pic.twitter.com/o4nROnyw4H
— Disney (@Disney) August 13, 2018
In the story, Mulan poses as a man and joins the Chinese military in place of her ageing father, who is suffering from ill-health.
The photo was shared to social media by Disney last night.
One of China’s most famous actresses, Liu Yifei’s previous screen credits include The Four series, The Forbidden Kingdom and Outcast.
A team of casting directors reportedly met 1,000 candidates for the role before choosing Yifei.
The film will also star the likes of Utkarsh Ambudkar, Yoson An, Rosalind Cheng Pei-Pei and Chum Ehelepola.
‘The film will shoot on locations in New Zealand and China’
In a statement, the company said: ‘Production on Disney’s Mulan, a live-action adaptation of the studio’s 1998 animated feature, has begun.’
It furthermore added that ‘the film will shoot on locations in New Zealand and China and will open in Malaysian cinemas on March 26, 2020.’
Of course, Mulan is not the only live-action remake of a Disney classic in the works.
The organization is also reimagining Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Dumbo and Peter Pan.
Relive the trailer for the first film below:
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