Film News

Disney's Live-Action Mulan Remake Finds Its Star

The original 1998 film featured Broadway’s Lea Salonga as the singing voice of the title character.

(© Disney)

Disney has announced the name of the actor who will star in its upcoming live-action remake of Mulan. Liu Yifei, who is also known as Crystal Liu, will take on the title role, according to Variety. The movie is expected to be released in 2019.

Mulan will follow on the heals of Disney's slate of reimagined classics including Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast. A live-action version of The Lion King featuring Beyoncé, Donald Glover, James Earl Jones, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and more is also slated for a 2019 release.

Niki Caro is set to direct with Chris Bender, Jason Reed, and Jake Weiner producing.

The original 1998 animated film is a retelling of a Chinese folktale is about the story of a young Chinese maiden who learns that her aged father is to be called up into the army in order to fight the invading Huns and decides to go in his stead. Starring Broadway's Lea Salonga (Once on This Island) as the singing voice of Mulan, the movie grossed $304 million, earning Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.