Rumors revolving around Disney's live-action remake of their 1998 animated classic MULAN have been swirling like cherry blossom pedals caught in an updraft for the past few weeks. Has Disney replaced Mulan's self-appointed guardian, Mushu, with a fiery phoenix? Will the cast not sing any of the original film's empowering songs? It's been a bit of a nail-biting ride for MULAN fans as of late, but thankfully, today's teaser trailer is poised to set the record straight.
As you can see from the teaser above, MULAN looks to be just as majestic as it is authoritative and strong-willed. Conventions such as silence, composure, and gracefulness will not govern this Disney princess, nor will any man who dares to think that Mulan will serve as his obedient paramour. No. Mulan will find her own way of honoring her family in the war to come, even if that means defying the laws of tradition to make all those around her see the light.
Directed by WHALE RIDER and THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE helmer Niki Caro, MULAN tells the inspiring story of a young Chinese maiden who disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father.
As part of a progressive play, Disney has cast a number of Asian actors to lead the film, with A-list stars like Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Yifei Liu set to bring Disney's tale of identity, expectations, and defiance to life on the big screen. Co-starring in the film based on Disney's 1998 animated classic are Li Gong, Jason Lee Scott, Rosalind Chao, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Tzi Ma, Ron Yuan, Yoson An, Doua Moua, Jimmy Wong, Chen Tang, and Roger Yuan, among others.
Just as a fun aside, early Wednesday morning, a video of martial arts master Donnie Yen destroying the internet's Bottle Cap Challenge arrived online. For the latest online craze, celebrities and everyday people alike are unleashing controlled kicks in an attempt to unscrew a bottle cap from its top. So far, I've see stars like Jason Statham, John Mayor, and Ellie Goulding smash the challenge with style. However, nothing compares (so far) to Yen completing the task while blindfolded.
Did you see Yen's stance? His control? The ease upon which he took that bottle cap to school? The Ip Man has got it goin' on, and no bottle cap is safe from his zen-like wrath!
Before MULAN takes a powerful stance against who can possess a warrior's spirit during conflict and on the big screen, Disney's THE LION KING is set to roar in theaters on July 19. The film features an all-star cast, including Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, John Kani, James Earl Jones, Billy Eichner, Amy Sedaris, Beyonce, Alfre Woodard, Eric Andre, JD McCrary, John Oliver, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Florence Kasumba, in addition to others.
Not long after Simba takes his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock, director Joachim Ronning's MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL starring Angelina Jolie is set to cast a spell on audiences come October 18. As a sequel to Disney's 2014 smash, Ronning's film will further explore the complex relationship of Maleficent and Aurora (Elle Fanning) as they face new threats in the magical land of the Moors.
Disney's MULAN is set make waves in theaters on March 27, 2020.