Finally, Walt Disney Pictures has announced their pick for director of the live-action adaptation of MULAN, one of many films belonging to the House of Mouse's legendary library of animated classics. As reported earlier today by The Hollywood Reporter, Whale Rider and McFarland, USA director Niki Caro will be helming the project, marking only the second time a female director has lead a Disney project that boasts a budget of more than $100 million.
In related news, it's been confirmed that Bill Kong, producer of elaborate martial arts films like CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS will serve as executive producer on the film. Origianally, MULAN received a script penned by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin, but plans have changed and pages have rewritten by the talents of Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Caro will work with the new script in her efforts to bring the inspiring tale of MULAN to the live-action screen.
While I haven't seen all of the recent Disney animation-to-live-action films, the idea of adapting MULAN intrigues me. The film has a lot to say about gender equality while mixing in a fair amount of wicked action, romance, and mystical elements. In the right hands this could really be something great. Here's hoping that Caro can deliver a well-balanced film that honors both the original and its intended themes.
To that end, it's been reported that Disney is paying close attention to its casting choices for this film, as they've gone under some fire for some of their more recent casting decisions. Making certain that the primary cast members of the film are of Chinese descent would be a wise move, and with the studio focusing its search in China's mainland, it appears that they're off to a good and respectable start.
MULAN is currently slated for a November 2, 2018 release.