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Live Action Mulan

Posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

Xinhua Media Entertainment has announced a $30 million live-action adaptation of Mulan, based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan (the same legend that was adapted into a 1998 Disney animated film). First written about in a 6th century poem, Hua Mulan was a woman who disguised herself as a man to take her elderly father’s place in an all-male army. It is unknown id the poem was based on an actual person or is just an allegory. The Hollywood-China co-production will begin shooting in China this spring.

$30 million is a big chunk of change for a Chinese production. I’m guessing that Xinhua’s Mulan will be a more traditional period costume drama. And I understand that this is an adaptation of the original legend, and not the Disney film that popularized the legend, but is anyone really that interested to see this story retold in live-action? I know I would never be interested in seeing a live-action Snow White. And the only reason Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland seems appealing is his unique sense of style. And even that is a hybrid production. But then again, I also hated the idea of del Toro directing Tarzan.

source: Hollywood Reporter

Comments

Mr. B

In a post "Boys Don't Cry" era, I'm not sure any film about a woman disguising her gender is going to match up.

I think it's pretty unfair to equate the story to "Snow White." Unless you're looking at it on the level that the original Snow White story would not have been rated G.

Although the number of "Twelfth Knight" films and reverse style films ("She's the Man") seem to do fairly well. It seems audiences seem to enjoy the concept.

/m

if they make it more real bloody dirt gritty and less Disney, I'll might watch it.

harpsichordstring

It has been produced as a TV series before, and I am sure there have many movies filmed about the legend. It was a popular story way before the disney movie... It isn't exactly a Snow White tale...

Vile82

Disney should jump at this idea...they already have endless straight-to-dvd sequels and prequels.

ANGRY BROOMSTICK

Snow White? are you fucking kidding me?

this is MULAN, and I can see it as a martial arts movie. It could be good. Get over yourself, dude.

Ignotus

If it's based more on the poem, and not the Disney movie, go for it. This is a great cultural legend, not a fairy-tale. Compare it to a story based off of Annie Oakley or Sacajawea, not Snow White.

Ivana

This is a very bad idea.

Russel

Dude I know that girl that plays Mulan in Disneyland (pictured above). She went to my school.

frankie23

Historical dramas are big business in China; I seriously doubt anyone involved with the production of it care one whit about Western opinions towards it. When you have a target audience of over a billion, why would you?

krackajap

Dear lord that girl has no waist.

Ghost

Are you serious? I mean look at the past historical films that have come out of Asia. Even Mongol itself. I would definitely love to see a film based on this story much like I would love to see a film on Journey to the West even though that's more fantasy like. And if it's done over there and not an American production I'm guessing it will be as decent as most films that have come out of there or at least entertaining enough.

Sonny

I think this has the possibility of being a very cool martial-arts movie in actuality. Looking at the basics of the story there is plenty of action and adult content to be had.

As for Snow White, that could make a great live action movie. If the original story is used that is. Think about how unnerving it would be to watch the evil queen dance herself to death while wearing hot iron shoes. Show the makers of SAW how it's really done.

krackajap

Ghost,

Journey to the West? Really? I think that's been done quite enough already.

Endone

Stories like "Snow White", "Alice in Wonderland", "Tarzan", "Cinderella",... and so on, are literally classic. They have so many remakes, adaptations and 'based upon' movies that I really won't watch them even for free. We've seen them in so many different interpretations (do I have to remind you about the last "Brothers Grim" movie and the way it was nothing like the usual thing?). In order do surprise us with something new from these classics they have to put a lot of effort.

Mulan from the other hand is not so popular story. I don't know how many movies and TV series had been produced based on that story, but I'm sure, that I've seen it only in the Disney version. It's not something painfully familiar.

So I'll be happy to see a live action based on Mulan... and since Hollywood hasn't much to do with this project I believe it will turn out great!...

Brian

"Snow White: A Tale of Terror" wasn't that bad. Sigourney Weaver & Sam Neill
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119227/

lady!

VICKI ZHAO WEI'S WILL BE PORTRAYING MULAN!!!!

Lee Avis from Php

VITAS IS IN THE MOVIE>>> A GUEST STAR!!! LOVE IT!!! CANT WAIT

Pheonix023

Actually, there IS a live action Snow White...my grandma had it, used to watch it when we were kids.

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