Disney's live action Mulan remake gets 2018 release as search for Chinese lead begins

Walt Disney Pictures has officially announced a live action remake of 1998 animated feature ‘Mulan’ for release in late 2018.

In a press release Disney also announced the start of a global casting search for a Chinese actress to star in the title role.

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'Mulan’ will be released in 3D on 2 November 2018 (via Variety), the same month as Warner Bros sequel to 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them’ and Disney animation 'Gigantic’.

Last year Disney purchased Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin’s spec script for the film, which is now being guided towards full production by experienced producers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver ('Jurassic World’, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’).

'Mulan’ will blend elements of the 1998 film which starred Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy and Soon-Tek Oh, and the source material: a legendary Chinese folk tale.

In the tale, Mulan disguises herself as a man so she is able to fight in her father’s place and go to war, aided by dragon sidekick called Mushu.

Clearly a tale ripe with a feminist message, 'Mulan’ is the latest in a succession of live action Disney remakes made possible thanks to advancements in CGI.

'Cinderella’, 'Maleficent’ and 'The Jungle Book’ have all proven hugely successful, and next year’s 'Beauty and the Beast’ remake with Emma Watson could be even more popular.

Further live action remakes based on 'Dumbo’, '101 Dalmatians’ and 'Pinocchio’ are also believed to be in the works.

Picture Credits: Disney