Disney is set to release remakes to some of its biggest classics between this summer and 2020. With remakes for Aladdin, Lion King and The Little Mermaid either released or on the horizon, it seems only natural that Mulan would soon follow. But Mulan fans might be in for a bigger surprise than they bargained for, as talks of the Mulan remake include a lot of deviation from the original movie. Will the remake be as iconic as the original? Will Mulan’s biggest fans be as infatuated with this live-action recreation? To learn more about this rendition of the classic, check out all the changes made to the Mulan remake so far.
The new version will be live-action.
This isn’t too surprising, as recent Disney remakes have been live-action as well. The star studded cast will include Chinese-American actress Yifei Liu playing Mulan, as well as Jet Li, Yoson An, Donnie Yen, and Gong Li.
This remake will have a more serious tone.
There was an air of playful fun and moments of lightheartedness in the original film that will not transfer to the remake. The new version will take a more serious and solemn tone, which could make for a totally different film altogether.
There will be little to no singing included.
One of the biggest changes to the film is excluding with character singing that has become iconic in many Disney classics. The movie soundtrack is said to be mainly instrumental, which will drastically change the atmosphere of the film.
The remake will have a majority Asian cast.
Now this keeps in line with the original film, but it is a big step towards increased on-screen diversity for Disney. This is Disney’s first live-action film to feature an almost all Asian cast. It’s also a big deal in Hollywood, as its only one of a few big screen films with a mostly Asian cast as well.
Mushu unfortunately did not make the cut.
Mulan’s memorable side kick Mushu will not make an appearance in the remake. The silly, loveable dragon will be replaced by a phoenix, keeping with the more serious feel of the movie. Many original fans of the movie may find this the most drastic, even disappointing change set for the film.
There may be no Shang in this version either.
One of the most iconic aspects of the film may have been replaced: the tumultuous relationship between Mulan and her commander Shang. There are talks that Shang’s character will be replaced by a character named Chen, who becomes Mulan’s rival, and then lover after he realizes she is a woman.
The villain could be a witch.
In the original film, the primary protagonist was the Hun leader Shan-Yu, a villainous, but normal human. The remake, though, may be replacing Shan-Yu with a witch, said to be played by Gong Li. There aren’t more details at the moment on this new villain character, but adding a witch to the mix will surely create a more supernatural tone to the film.