The live-action remake of Mulan will not be a carbon copy of its animated predecessor. It will not be a musical -- although the film will feature instrumental versions of the original songs -- and it will not feature the Eddie Murphy-voiced dragon Mushu.
"I think we can all appreciate that Mushu is irreplaceable. You know, the animated classic stands on its own in that regard," director Niki Caro said. "In this movie, there is a creature representative -- a spiritual representation of the ancestors, and most particularly of Mulan's relationship with her father." Caro went on to say there wouldn't be an updated version of Mushu in her film.
Walt Disney Pictures' animated Mulan film released on June 19, 1998, and was directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft. Though the live-action film won't feature Mushu, Mulan's lucky cricket will be making an appearance.
Caro has directed several films set in New Zealand, including Memory and Desire and Whale Rider. She also directed A Heavenly Vintage, McFarland, USA and The Zookeeper's Wife.
Directed by Niki Caro, Disney's Mulan stars Yifei Liu as Mulan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan, and Yoson An as Cheng Honghui, with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film opens March 27.
(via Digital Spy)