With the live-action Aladdin still in theaters, and the adaptation of The Lion King only a short time away, Disney is already looking towards next year with yet another classic animated film being brought to life in the form of Mulan.

Based on the 1998 animated film, the story, says Disney, 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.”

In the live-action film, the role of Mulan is being played by Liu Yifei, who is pictured in costume above. Actress Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan in the animated version, spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the power of the tale, commenting, “The story itself kept to the idea of this young girl wanting to protect her father, and she was brave enough to go into battle and become such a heroine … It had staying power. I go to these Comic-Con conventions and as much as I get people who love S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent May — that strong female character and what she represents — there are so many women and young girls who come up to me [because of Mulan]. It’s incredible to meet these people and have them tell me their stories of how it’s influenced them and inspired them, [because] they don’t feel like they were represented, which was something I never thought about, because all I thought about was this folklore. Now when you see the Disney princesses, they’re all very independent and they don’t need someone to save them — that’s the legacy of Mulan, which is wonderful.”

Look for Mulan on March 27, 2020.

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