Mulan is another of Disney’s cherished animations to get a live-action update. The remake won’t hit cinemas until Spring 2020 but a teaser trailer for the movie has already divided fans. The original Mulan was a fun-packed Disney classic released in 1998. Fans loved the film for its catchy tunes and cheeky characters despite its serious underlying narrative.
Mulan is set in Imperial China tells the story of the eldest daughter of an honoured Chinese warrior – Hua Mulan.
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Mulan masquerades as a man and takes her frail father’s place.
While CGI remake sticks to the original storyline it seems to have shed some of the light-hearted edge of the original flick.
Hua Mulan is a well-known Chinese legend and the character of Mulan is one synonymous with honour and perseverance.
Mulan’s trusty dragon pal Mushu, who was voiced by Eddie Murphy in the original animation, has been cut from the new script to the dismay of some diehard fans.
Alexander Thian tweeted: “Mulan’s teaser trailer. Holy dragon this is so cool!! B…but… where’s Mushu?”
While Sheraz Khan Rajput tweeted: “Better have #Mushu in it otherwise it ain’t #Mulan!!!”
While some Western lovers of the cartoon classic are up in arms about the loss of Muju, Disney may have scrapped him to please Chinese audiences.
“Muju” is a popular Chinese takeaway dish and having a character go by that name could be seen as a lazy cultural stereotype by modern Chinese viewers.
Chinese publication, Sixth Tone, reported one Chinese social media user’s praise of Disney’s decision to cut the catchy songs and cheeky side kick for a more realistic representation of Chinese culture.
The user said Chinese audiences “care about whether Hua Mulan looks charming and whether the film accurately reflects Chinese culture and Mulan’s perseverance”.
The DisInsider reported Mulan’s sidekick and companion Mushu has been cut.
The website said a source claimed that: “While music from the animated film will be included in the remake, the songs will not be sung by the cast as the music is just instrumentals.
“As time progresses, Disney will very likely use test screenings to gauge what changes – if any – need to be made via reshoots and post-production.”
The Mulan remake is directed by Niki Caro and stars Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Gong Li, Jason Scott Lee and Jet Li as The Emperor.
You can watch the teaser clip HERE.
Mulan will be released in UK cinemas on March 27, 2020.