"Mulan" is a live-action film based on the 1998 Disney animated movie of the same title. On March 30, 2015, it was announced that the film is in development, and on October of last year, Disney confirmed the release date which is set to be on November 2, 2018.
Now, it has been confirmed recently that a female director will helm the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Niki Caro who did 2002 Maori family drama "Whale Rider," will direct "Mulan. Disney worked with Caro previously on the 2015 cross-country drama "McFarland, USA."
Caro is a New Zealand native, but she lived in central California for nearly a year to immerse herself in the Mexican-American community there. One of Caro's most recent works includes "The Zookeeper's Wife" with Jessica Chastain, Variety reported.
Other women were also considered for Disney's woman-warrior project, including Patty Jenkins and Michelle MacLaren. In August, it was reported that Caro was on the short list of directors, along with Lesli Linka Glatter and Lorene Scafaria.
Movie mogul Bill Kong ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Hero") will also join the project as executive producer. The new "Mulan" features a script originally penned by Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek, and rewritten by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.
The new "Mulan" previously sparked controversy when reports emerged saying that script's early draft featured a Caucasian love interest, and Disney was accused of whitewashing. A signature campaigned was launched, along with a Twitter hashtag #MakeMulanRight. Disney then promised that all of the primary roles for "Mulan" live-action film will be Chinese.
Disney and producers assured fans that the film will be culturally authentic. There were extensive conversations with Chinese cultural consultants, and Disney is working closely with their own China-based team. The casting search is focused in mainland China for the main roles, including the lead female herself.
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