Disney’s Mulan has finally begun production after years in development, and our favorite film studio found a perfect way to mark the occasion. Disney unveiled the first look of Liu Yifei, poised for battle as the iconic warrior princess.
Yifei’s casting as the titular character in the upcoming live-action adaptation of 1998 animated classic was announced last November. Disney’s casting team went on a year-long search, sorting through nearly 1’000 candidates before picking her. The first look at the upcoming movie features Yifei dressed in a red robe with long black hair tumbling over her shoulders.
Disney described their latest live-action revival as “an epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China.” It joins the ranks of recently released live-action adaptations Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and The Jungle Book. Disney is also working on new versions of beloved classics Aladdin, Dumbo and The Lion King.
They’ll all hit the theaters before Mulan, since it’s set for release on March 27, 2020. Filming will take place in New Zealand and China under the direction of Niki Caro, who rose to prominence with Whale Rider.
