Much like the creators of Rick and Morty, we have pretty fond memories of the summer of 1998, when Mulan hit cinemas and that excellent soundtrack was unavoidable if you were below the age of 13. In fact, it’s almost hard to believe that that summer was 20 years ago, and that knowledge will undoubtedly cause a great deal of millennial angst and quarter-life crises as the realization sets in that you’re getting older and that, yes, you too will succumb to the mortal wounds that time inflicts upon us all.
Anyways, Mulan!
Like with all of their properties, Disney has a live-action remake of the film coming out in a few years, and to commemorate the start of filming, the Mouse released a first image of star Liu Yifei in costume. It looks good so far, and we’re actually quite excited for this film, as it’s helmed by Whale Rider director Niki Caro, who became the second woman in Disney history to be given a budget over $100 million to do her good works. All in all, it sounds like a win-win, especially for the Mouse House, who were frustrated some 20 years ago with the film’s failure in China (thanks to the Chinese government’s frustration with Martin Scorsese’s Kundun) and now have a chance to avenge it.
Here’s a synopsis from Disney’s press release:
“‘Mulan’ is the epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honored warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army, she steps in to take the place of her ailing father as Hua Jun, becoming one of China’s greatest warriors ever.”
Mulan hits theaters on March 27, 2020. The youngest ’90s kids will almost be old enough to drink by then.
Featured image by Stephen Tilley via Disney.