Bring honor to us all.

[rogueslayer452]

With the announcement that Mulan is next in the line-up of being remade from animation to live-action, it has left much pondering about how well this might turn out. Obviously there are some upsides, for example the costuming will hopefully be undoubtedly be gorgeous. On the other hand, the biggest concern many are having is the casting. When it comes to stories about minorities, which happens so rarely in Hollywood as it is, casting is incredibly important and unfortunately the film industry has a history of mistaking that all Asians are interchangeable (Memoirs of a Geisha) or thinking that whitewashing is okay (The Last Airbender). Never mind that while they are clearly just remaking the Disney animated movie, the story itself was adapted from actual Chinese legend and folklore, so the cultural importance should also be reflected as well. While I'm still wary on these particular things, because it walks a fine line of cultural respect and sensitivity, I want to believe that they can pull this off without doing too much damage. Plus, Mulan is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. Even though it's hard to top perfection, with the successes of what has been done with things like Maleficent and Cinderella, it makes me wonder what they could do with this.

In my opinion, even though I know it'll never happen, I honestly think that Ming-Na Wen could still reprise her role as Mulan in this adaptation. She may be in her fifties, but she's practically the fountain of youth incarnate and is physically fit to accomplish the task of a warrior flawlessly. See: her current role as Melinda May in Agents of Shield.

For other live-action Hua Mulan stories, there is the film Mulan: Rise of a Warrior and the drama The Legend of Hua Mulan, both Chinese produced.

Comments

[nemophilist.livejournal.com]

I refuse to get excited about this until I know the casting, but it could be AWESOME.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's quite a dilemma. You want them to do right by it because the potential of what it could turn out to be is spectacular, but you're worried that something might go horribly wrong.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

I haven't seen the animated movie, only Once Upon A Time, so it feels strange to me to think of Mulan without Aurora.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Speaking of which, has the show even gone back to them? Furthering their development, either together or separately, or have they been completely forgotten? Because lord knows my shipper heart was all about Mulan/Aurora, even if it was unrequited.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

It was totes not unrequited. The show is doing an arc about Maleficent and other villains, so I expected to see Aurora a lot, but so far we've only seen her once in a flashback...

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Oh, believe me I don't want it to be unrequited, because essentially I want Mulan/Aurora to be happily canon (and Mulan/Phillip/Aurora as OT3 poly relationship), though from the way the show played it I wasn't quite sure because when Mulan left Aurora she was heartbroken and, idk. I stopped watching the show midway through S2 so idk anymore what's going on or the intentions of the show with characters and relationships and whatnot. I'd be surprised if they revisit that arc ever again.

In my headcanon, Aurora went after Mulan after confronting her own feelings and confessed them to her and there was much happiness and kisses.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

We haven't seen them since then. With Phillip back, it's unlikely that the show even goes back to them, because I think polyamory is even less likely to happen than f/f.

The show is still putting femslash vibes left and right, though. I'm okay with it, but I'm sure the queerbaiting annoys a lot of people. I know it annoys me with other shows.

*butts in*

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

They sadly haven't touched on Mulan or Mulan/Aurora since 3x03. Mulan left Aurora and Phillip to join the Merry Men but even though they've been on the show since then, there's been no mention of what happened to Mulan. There were rumors and talk from the writers about maybe getting Mulan/Jamie in for 4B, but if that's happening, I haven't heard about it. And they've announced almost everyone else who is being brought back for 4B so I'd be surprised if they're keeping Jamie's appearance a secret.

We've had a few brief glimpses of Aurora since then. She and Phillip popped up in the back half of season 3, first to welcome people back to the Enchanted Forest and then to tell them some information about the Wicked Witch. This season, she's had two scenes so far -- she was spotted at a mommy-and-me type class with some other characters and she appeared in a flashback.

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

I'm witholding my enthusiasm until I know the casting.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, same. I mean, the potential is there no doubt, but the casting is essential.

[rhoda-rants.livejournal.com]

Oh god, oh god, if they do this right, it could be SO GREAT, but oh god...

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

My sentiments exactly. It has all the potential to be amazing, but the wrong step it could be disastrous.

[shyngi.livejournal.com]

omg! Ming-Na Wen was my first thought of being Mulan when the news came that they were making Mulan live action. :D
Also Zhang Ziyi would also be good since she's so pretty and badass in The Grandmaster (2013). But since I've only seen that and Memoirs of a Geisha, I'm not sure how her English would pull of. Or if she was even interested doing it lol ! :DD

I saw this post on tumblr on few Chinese actors who would make great Mulans (fans succested). I can't find that post but Ming-Na was listed and also Constance Wu who is now starring in Fresh off the Boat.

mydramalist gives few Mulan titles (movies and dramas/tv-shows). And the newest one is from 2013.
http://mydramalist.com/browse/all?sort[]=relevance&q=mulan

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

You can hear her speak English in a recent interview (https://youtu.be/vd5sNakqejQ), and it's quite good. Mostly I feel like Zhang Ziyi would be better suited for a non-Disney Mulan, since with this one they're probably going to be looking for someone who doesn't speak with an accent (even though it's set in China) and who is a bit younger.

Oh, yes, Constance Wu! She's fantastic, I would love to see her in such a role.

Thank you for that list!

[woodycakes.livejournal.com]

I am excited for this an also worried about casting. Really worried. I hope they don't mess it up.

AND YES, MING NA LOOKS LIKE SHE DOESNT AGE

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Ming-Na is basically ageless. I feel like they really should do the movie but with some of the original cast: Ming-Na, BD Wong, and Eddie Murphy as Mushu. I don't care if it doesn't make sense or that they're "too old" for the parts, it would be fantastic. (◕ω◕✿)

[perpetual.livejournal.com]

Oh hey, just rewatched Mulan recently but had no idea about this announcement.

Even though Zhang Ziyi seems like the go-to Asian actress and has been consequently miscast in some roles, I would LOVE to see her in this role. Ever since Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, I can't get enough of her.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I would love to see Zhang Ziyi doing something like portraying Mulan, I can imagine she would be fantastic in such a role. Though for this particular adaptation I would want there be a lesser known actress fulfilling that task.

[geek-flower.livejournal.com]

I just have a very strong feeling the whole real-life remake of animated Disney movies is going to be another disastrous Hollywood gimmick that will be run into the ground before it's all over. :( What next? Pocahontas?! Just leave them alone!

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Well, they also announced that they're in the process of doing a live-action Winnie the Pooh. Not sure how that'll work. All I think about when I hear "live action" and "Winnie the Pooh" is this Disney Channel version (https://youtu.be/MKkWLQU60Ms) back from my childhood. But most likely it'll probably end up being something similar to Paddington.

While I do think there are certain stories that would be worth having a re-imagined live-action retelling, I agree that it will most likely turn into a gimmick. Disney loves milking that cash cow.

[sixphanel.livejournal.com]

Oh! I had no idea they were planning to do this! And I share your worries... but hopefully they'll make something worth it!

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I hope so as well, because with the right elements, casting and writing and direction, it has major potential to becoming something great.

[leobrat.livejournal.com]

This makes me *very* excited, if also a little bit apprehensive. Cinderella was basically one continuous fashion show, so there's that. And I definitely support Ming-Na, and I think they could even tweak it a little bit for her being a so-called 'spinster', as opposed to a young girl of marriageable age.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

and I think they could even tweak it a little bit for her being a so-called 'spinster', as opposed to a young girl of marriageable age.

Oh, I like this idea, like a whole lot. While Cinderella was pretty much a straight adaptation of the story, Maleficent was a re-imaginative retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale. I would love for them to do something similar with Mulan by telling the story in a different manner, adding a little tweaks to the story but still remaining faithful to the legend itself.

I don't want to get my hopes up, but this is a perfect opportunity to do something different and I really want them to take it.

[mountingsnow.livejournal.com]

So this would be after Beauty and the beast?

I'm not sure how I feel about this whole live action thing, but Mulan better be front and center in any battle footage. If they do it as they should there won't be a white cast member in sight, but I very much doubt it.

I wonder how they'll work Mushu in.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming so.

Oh man, I really, really want some good battle sequences, and I agree that Mulan must be forefront and there's a scene with her commanding the soldiers. I really want to believe that they won't whitewash anyone, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

I had not idea this was happening and I hope they get the casting right. I'd be there for Mina-Na Wen but they'll probably go for a really young Mulan like they did with Cinderella and Aurora in Maleficent.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm figuring they're gonna go younger. Which sucks because I feel like they could still cast actresses who are in their late twenties/early thirties and they could still look several years young than they are. But I figure they would want to capture that "young girl goes to war to protect her family" feel. Although I do want Ming-Na to at least make a cameo appearance in the film, just because. ;)

[giallarhorn.livejournal.com]

I think I'm just very, very wary about this. As the story of Mulan is pretty far from what Hollywood tends to deal with, and the general history of Hollywood in dealing with anything that isn't explicitly white, well.

It might just be one of those that's better left in animation, honestly.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it gets tricky when dealing with culture in live action versus animation. While there are some debates re: the representation through the voice actors, casting real people as the characters in a live action version should be taken seriously. Oftentimes it gets foiled because of casting directors being idiots, among other things.

[sakuraberries]

I'm loving this Hollywood trend of live-action Disney films. Here's hoping they get to Aladdin and cast actual Arab actors (who am I kidding?).

Also cautiously withholding my enthusiasm until I hear casting news!

I love Ming-Na Wen and Ziyi Zhang but they're both way too old for the role! But I don't think I know any young Chinese actresses. =/

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Goodness, I would love for there to be one for Aladdin! Sadly, I don't think it can be pulled off without the guarantee that they will cast actual Arab actors or without them whitewashing/brownfacing characters. :/

I'm hoping that they will go for an unknown Chinese actress for the role, someone new and fresh. If nothing else though, I would love Ming-Na to make at least a cameo appearance.

[igrockspock.livejournal.com]

Are they remaking Disney's Mulan into a live-action film, or are they making an American version of the Chinese live-acttion Hua Mulan: Rise of a Warrior? The Chinese film was optioned by a studio in the US, so it never played here, but then the US version was shelved. Zhang Ziyi was supposed to play Mulan. I would love to see that project come to fruition.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

They're making it from the Disney version, as part of the trend of Disney live-action film franchise that's been catching rapid popularity lately, from Maleficent and the recent Cinderella and the future Beauty and the Beast.

I would love there to be a non-Disney Mulan made for American audiences. I don't know how likely that is to happen, though.

[fly-meaway.livejournal.com]

I'm really curious what they'll do with this as well. I agree with everything that you're saying in this post and I just really hope they'll do the story justice, treat it well and get a great cast.

[carameltrap.livejournal.com]

I'm somewhat excited for this when I heard but I'm also wondering if they can pull it off because it's just a folklore and whether they can do justice to the Chinese culture and traditions.

Mulan: Rise of a Warrior absolutely kicks ass. I've watched it twice and love it.