Disney announces the start of production on their upcoming live-action Mulan movie and releases a first look image of Liu Yifei as Mulan. Walt Disney Studios has found a great deal of success over the last few years in adapting their animated classics to live-action. From Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent to Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, the Mouse House has done reimaginings as well as strict adaptations. Now, the studio has a number of further adaptations in various stages of development and production, including The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan.

Based on the classic legend as well as the 1998 animated Disney movie, Niki Caro will direct a live-action Mulan for Walt Disney Studios. The movie currently has an early 2020 release date, and much of the cast has been filled out, with Liu Yifei portraying Chinese warrior Mulan herself. There's been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Disney project, as rumored scripts surfaced and seemed to indicate the film wouldn't be following the same story as the animated classic. Now, though, Disney continues to move forward with their live-action take on Mulan as production officially begins.

Disney announced the start of production today, releasing a first look image of Yifei as Mulan, which can be seen below. Disney also confirmed the full cast of Mulan and released a synopsis for the movie, which tells the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight enemies that seek to invade her country. See the photo and synopsis below.


Mulan 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.

Release Dates:

  • Mulan (2020) release date: Mar 27, 2020