Page 62 - CelebrationsSpring2020

Another subtle change is in the name of the heroine. This film refers to her name as it is written in the ancient origin story, where she is called Hua Mulan. She is played by Yifei Liu (also known as Crystal Liu), a Chinese-born actress who moved to the United States as a young girl, and is a naturalized American citizen. She returned to China as a teen to work as both a model and an actress, and has found considerable work on both sides of the Pacific, including The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) and 2014’s For Love or Money and Outcast.
The character of Li Shang, the army captain who falls for Mulan, has also been replaced. In his stead is Chen Honghui, a fellow army recruit who befriends Mulan before losing his heart to her. He is portrayed by Yoson An, a New Zealander of Chinese descent who has held roles in the Australian television series Dead Lucky, as well as Fresh Eggs in New Zealand.
Mulan’s mentor, Commander Tung, is played by Donnie Yen, who is best known for roles in his native China, but for whom Star Wars fans will recognize as Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). His second-in-command is Sergeant Qiang, portrayed by Ron Yuang. His credits date back to guest appearances on 1990s series which include Walker, Texas Ranger; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; and Nash Bridges, as well as more recent recurring roles in Marco Polo
and Siren.
A scallywag scam artist team is played by Chum Ehelepola
(A Moody Christmas and Intersecting Beauty) as Ramtish and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Pitch Perfect, Blindspotting) as Skatch. Another important pair are of course Mulan’s parents: her father, Hua Zhou, played by Tzi Ma (The Ladykillers, Rush Hour, Arrival, starring the Avengers’ Jeremy Renner), and mother, Hua Li, portrayed by Rosalind Chao (The Joy Luck Club, What Dreams May Come). Fans of classic television will recognize Ms. Chao as M*A*S*H’s Soon-Lee, the young woman with whom Corporal Klinger falls in love and against all expectations decides to remain in Korea after all those years of trying to be released on a discharge!
With all of these new characters, it will be nice to see some familiar faces. The Matchmaker returns for the live- action film, played by Pei-Pei Cheng (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). And fans of Mulan’s hapless army pals will be happy to know that Yao, Ling, and Chein Po are back! Yao, played by Harvey Fierstein (Independence Day, Mrs. Doubtfire) in the animated film, will be brought to life by Chen Tang (Agent Kim in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). Ling, originally voiced by Gedde Wantanabe (Sixteen Candles, Professor Bob Chen in Kim Possible), is now portrayed by Jimmy Wong (Video Game High
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Artwork ©Disney