“You don’t meet a girl like that every dynasty.” – poster by Chen Man
Disney’s live-action Mulan released the first trailer, poster, and stills from the film today. The female costumes and make-up still look like bad 80’s movies, but OMG Liu Yifei is perfect!!!!! She’s so beautiful and so fierce in the trailer it made me tear up. I feel like the tone of the trailer was spot on in terms of what I was hoping for in a film about Mulan. What do you think?
The film stars Liu Yifei as the titular heroine and features Gong Li, Donnie Yen, Yoson An, Jet Li, and Cheng Pei-pei. It’s set for a worldwide release on March 27, 2020.
Mulan’s Casting Call asks for extras of ancestries from across the Silk Road.
When they announced Disney’s live-action Mulan was moved to the Tang dynasty, I think many of us had suspicions (and I was definitely hoping) that the film was aiming to diversify its cast to include other races to recreate the melting pot of Tang-dynasty China.
The fillm has already announced Indian-American actor Utkarsh Ambudkar will join the cast of Liu Yifei, Gong Li, Donnie Yen, and potentially Jet Li. The latest casting call for extras pretty much confirms there’ll be people from all across the Silk Road in the film (Aladdin and Jasmine cameo, please!). In addition to people who are fighters and riders, they’re especially looking for traditional Chinese calligraphers, dancers, drummers, and traditional Chinese or Indian musicians, which means there’ll definitely be music and dance. I’m a little concerned they’re not asking for Middle Eastern musicians because what Tang dynasty dance party would be complete without the Sogdian Whirl. Interestingly, there’s no call for Southeast Asians even though Xana Tang, the actress for Mulan’s sister, is a New Zealander of Chinese-Vietnamese descent and there were definitely SE Asians in Tang-dynasty China.
I’m excited that they’re going to depicting a more diverse China that people don’t usually think about. I don’t think any of the other live-action Disney adaptations have done major cities, so hopefully they’ll do Tang-dynasty Chang’an justice. That road Mulan’s army comes back on better be 150m wide and not one meter less.
“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”
Disney has heard your wishes and cast Cfensi’s top choice for Mulan.
Hollywood Reporter reported that Crystal Liu Yifei has been cast as Disney’s Mulan. The film is directed by Niko Caro and set for a 2019 release. Liu Yifei is one of the most famous young actress in China, and is known for her graceful martial arts roles. Based on the casting calls, she will likely speak Chinese for a Chinese version and English for the English-speaking audience. The plot has been significantly changed, most significantly cutting out Mushu, replacing Shang with a fellow soldier, and resetting the story in the Tang dynasty.
I’m so happy for her and for the audience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cool Liu Yifei as Mulan poster found online. cr:???
“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”
Results for the poll on your top pick for Disney’s Mulan out of 713 votes and fill-ins. Crystal Liu Yifei won over Ni Ni by less than 1%, while Zhao Wei (who has played Mulan before) rounds up the top 3. Zhang Ziyi, who was originally rumored to be playing the role, comes 4th. Of the three, all but Zhao Wei speaks pretty decent English.
Unfortunately, Disney probably doesn’t care about what any of us thinks, so …
Can she also play Shang?
Full list below the cut. Whoever nominated Hu Jun as Mulan, turn yourself in now.
Since everyone online is doing dream casts of Disney’s live action Mulan , I figured we should do one, too. Who would you nominate? To get you started, here’s mine:
No matter how their projects turn out, this pair always has such nice chemistry off-screen as decade-old friends. Behind the Story vids below.
This movie has been hyped. Hyped because of the theme songs (Stefanie Sun trumps all in terms of popularity in China), hyped because it was Mulan, one of the most famous heroines in Chinese culture, and hyped because it was Vicky Zhao Wei, who is just loved and unlike most Chinese celebs, not just within China’s boundaries.
And the sales reflected that. In six days the movie earned 50 million yuan its first six days, not the highest China’s seen, but a solid success and the Chen Kun-Zhao Wei pairing was proclaimed a box office guarantee since their first on-screen pairing Painted Skin, also was a hit. But all those factors doesn’t mean good movie. Basically, this is a post for everyone looking forward to this movie to go in with low expectations. Because while this movie has drummed up more overseas interest than other Chinese films this year, simply because of the name “Mulan” (thanks Disney!) this is not even close to being one of the better Chinese films of this year, or even of the holiday season. Expectations should have been low from the start since the director is Jingle Ma.
Cannes isn’t just the oldest, most venerated film festival in the world; it’s also a prime opportunity for film companies everywhere to hawk their upcoming productions and look for potential buyers. Those lucky enough to be part of a film chosen for selection will be certainly be pulling-double duty and promoting them to distributors as well as jurors. Others like Zhao Wei and Chen Kun came especially to Cannes to promote for an unfinished movie, in their case Mulan, for which a sneak peak and teaser poster was revealed. Other Chinese films giving first looks included Little Big Soldier (the Jackie-Chan Leehom Collab), Sophie’s Revenge, Confucius, and Falling in Love With You in Seven Days. However, I have to wonder if trying to scramble to get something together in time for Cannes is that wise of a tactic- if I had any interest in these movies before, these posters may have killed it.
Vicki Zhao and Chen Kun celebrates Valentine's Day together as the leads of movie Mulan, which will also feature Vitas
Valentine’s Day seems to be a popular time for releasing new songs, here are some our favorite songs that are previews for future albums by Tan Weiwei, Kimi Qiao Renliang and Kym Jin Sha.
I forgot to say – Tan Weiwei
2nd place of Super Girls 2006 Tan Weiwei recently signed on the the recording company of Huayou, a seed company of the Hurray! group that also owns mainland Huayi and Taiwanese Seed. She released her new single and her album is due in March. “I forgot to say” is probably my favorite pop song from her so far. It manages to show off her vocals very naturally. Tan Weiwei began as a folk singer of mainly Tibetan-styled ethnic songs, which I adore. She achieved relative success and had released an album, several singles and had starred in a musical before competing in Super Girls in 2006. She also performed Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in Vienna’s Golden Hall, which is a great feat for anyone.
