Live-Action 'Mulan' Is Being Delayed To Spring 2020
Mulan fans will have to wait a bit more to catch a remake of the 1998 Disney film in theaters. Initially set for release on Nov. 2, live-action Mulan will hit cinemas on March 27, 2020.
Burbank-based Disney is shuffling a number of movie release dates of several Pixar animated films and a Marvel movie, which was previously scheduled on July 31, 2020, is now slated for Aug. 7, 2020.
Disney also revamped other releases of 20 unnamed films including the following dates: May 7, 2021, July 30, 2021, Nov. 5, 2021, Feb. 18, 2022, May 6, 2022, and July 29, 2022.
Other Disney remakes include Aladdin (May 2019), The Lion King (July 2019), and The Little Mermaid (2018).
Passing On The Opportunity
Award-winning director Niki Caro will lead the production team of the upcoming Mulan live-action movie. Caro is the director and screenwriter of the 2002 Whale Rider, which was critically acclaimed and praised in a number of international film festivals.
Fans have initially rooted for the Ang Lee to direct the new Mulan live-action movie, but the Academy Award-winning Taiwanese director has to pass on the opportunity.
Lee has finally put the burning question to rest as he clarifies that he is working on a long-time project, Billy Lynn.
"Well, I have my mind on something else, which I wanted to make before Billy Lynn. It's a boxing movie. So I'm still pursuing that, [and] I don't want to hold up anybody," Lee told Cinema Blend. "It sounds like a wonderful project, but I have my mind set on something else," he said.
Lee's Billy Lynn project is reportedly a 3D film, a format he said is his personal preference. The movie, developed at 120 fps and 4K visual quality, is slated for a November 2018 release date.
Lee's repertoire includes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Life of Pi, where he co-directed the films' martial arts stunts.
Around The World In Search Of Mulan
Reports have it that a team of casting directors scouted five continents and screened almost 1,000 candidates to find the right fit for the Mulan character. Chinese actress Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, is chosen to play the ancient legendary warrior.
Liu also starred in American films such as the Forbidden Kingdom (2008) with lead actor Jackie Chan and Outcast (2014) with Nicolas Cage.
The extensive search for the right actress is also reported to have caused the production delay.
Mulan's box office revenue reached $304 million in combined theaters worldwide, placing second with The X-Files on the opening date. The 1998 Disney animated movie won the Best Animated Feature award, as well as individual recognition for its actors and production staff.
