Disney
Disney has found a lead for its live-action Mulan.
Following a worldwide search, the studio announced Wednesday that it has cast Chinese actress Liu Yifei (a.k.a. Crystal Liu) as Hua Mulan. Stemming from Disney’s trend of adapting its library of animated classics as live-action feature films, this new take on the warrior woman sees a young woman disguise herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army against the backdrop of fifth-century China.
Liu, nicknamed “Fairy Sister” in China, is one of her native country’s most popular actresses. Since breaking out in various television shows in the 2000s, she’s appeared in films like Forbidden Kingdom, White Vengeance, Ip Man 3, and this year’s The Chinese Window.
Niki Caro (Whale Rider ) will direct this new take on Mulan, which is inspired by both the 1998 animated film and the centuries-old folktale. The film is based on a script initially penned by Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek and rewritten by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.
“The budget and the location and the story [are] offering such scope to me for [an] incredible, muscular piece of girly martial arts extravaganza in China. And I can’t wait,” Caro said in March. “I’ve got my little girl, she’s 9,” the filmmaker added. “We’re going to start learning mixed martial arts in preparation.”
Jason Reed, Chris Bender, and Jake Weiner will produce Mulan, and Bill Kong will executive produce.
The Hollywood Reporter was the first to report the news.
This article orignally appeared on PEOPLE.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
