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Mulan 2020
Action dramaAction-adventureFantasy
A 2020 American fantasy action drama film, Mulan was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Niki Caro. The screenplay was written by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin. It serves as a live-action version of Disney's 1998 animated movie Mulan, which in turn draws from the Chinese legend known as Ballad of Mulan. Starring Liu Yifei as the main character, the film also features Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Ron Yuan, Gong Li, and Jet Li in supporting roles. In the story, Hua Mulan, the first daughter of a respected soldier, disguises herself as a man to join the military in place of her sick father during a conscription against the Rouran army in Imperial China.
Development of this live-action version began in 2010, but progress was slow and faced many delays. Principal photography occurred in New Zealand and China between August and November 2018. During production, the film encountered multiple controversies. These included alterations to the original story and filming in Xinjiang amid criticism over Uyghur persecution and internment camps. The movie also drew criticism for its predominantly non-Chinese creative team, especially the choice of Caro as director instead of someone of Asian descent.
The film premiered worldwide at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 9, 2020. Originally set for a broad theatrical release later that month, it was canceled in the United States due to repeated delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an alternative, Disney+ released the movie on September 4, 2020 through its Premier Access service, which required a premium fee, in regions where the platform was available. In countries without Disney+, the film had a standard theatrical release once cinemas reopened.
Because of limited theatrical screenings due to the pandemic, Mulan underperformed at the box office, earning $69.9 million against a production budget of $200 million. Western, non-Asian reviewers generally gave it positive feedback, praising its action scenes, costumes, and acting performances, although they criticized the script and editing. However, fans of the original animated version, members of the Chinese diaspora, and Chinese critics were less favorable, pointing out weak character development, cultural misrepresentations, and historical inaccuracies in how Chinese people were portrayed. At the 93rd Academy Awards and 26th Critics' Choice Awards, the film received nods for costume design and visual effects, while also being nominated for Best Special Visual Effects at the 74th British Academy Film Awards.
Trailer
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Cast
- Liu Yifei[[Mulan
- Crystal Raoyoung Mulan
- Donnie YenCommander Tung
- Gong LiXianniang
- Jason Scott LeeBöri Khan
- Yoson AnChen Honghui
- Jet LiThe Emperor of China
- Tzi MaHua Zhou
- Rosalind ChaoHua Li
- Xana TangHua Xiu
- Elena Askinyoung Xiu
- Ron YuanSergeant Qiang
- Jun YuCricket
- Jimmy WongLing
- Chen TangYao
- Doua MouaChien-Po
- Nelson LeeThe Chancellor
- Cheng Pei-peithe Matchmaker
- Arka DasRed Fez
Crew
- Director
- Niki Caro
- Screenplay
- Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin
- Producer
- Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, Jason T. Reed
- Cinematography
- Mandy Walker
- Editing
- David Coulson
- Music
- Harry Gregson-Williams
Details
- Production
- Good Fear Content, Jason T. Reed Productions, Walt Disney Pictures
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Budget
- $200 million
- Box office
- $69.9 million
