Page 63 - CelebrationsSpring2020

School, Wish Dragon). And Chien Po (originally Jerry Tondo of Drop Zone and The Nick of Time) is played by Doua Moua (Gran Torino).
Martial arts legend Jet Li plays the Emperor. Like many of his co-stars, he was well-known in his native country – in this case, China – before entering the Hollywood scene, which he accomplished in 1998 as the villain Wah Sing Ku in Lethal Weapon 4. Other notable roles in American films include Han Sing in Romeo Must Die (2000) and Yin Yang in the Expendables franchise.
There is little doubt that the legions of the animated film’s fans should provide a solid foundation for the live- action film. With the action of war and the beauty of romance set against the stunning scenery of ancient China, Mulan should become a favorite for the next generation of Disney film fans.
Mulan Fascinating Facts
• Yifei Liu is the fourth actress to portray Mulan for Disney. In the 1998 film, the role was split between Ming-Na Wen (speaking voice) and Lea Salonga (singing voice), and Jamie Chung played her for the ABC series Once Upon a Time.
• Jet Li made his American film debut (Lethal Weapon 4) in
1998, the same year the animated version of Mulan opened. • When Disney held its casting call for the title character, eligible actresses were required to have some knowledge
of martial arts.
• Liu and Li co-starred in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008).
• Jerry Goldsmith, who composed the score for the
original film, also wrote the music for the attraction Soarin’ (Epcot)/Soarin’ Over California (Disney California Adventure). Goldsmith passed away in 2004, so when the attraction was remade into Soarin’ Around the World, composer Bruce Broughton reworked Goldsmith’s original soundtrack to align with the international scenes of the new film (which coincidentally includes China’s Great Wall!). Like Goldsmith’s score for Mulan, Broughton utilized traditional Chinese instruments for Soarin’s new music.
• In the animated movie, Mulan wrote with her left hand but used her right to wield her sword. In the live-action movie, she is a right-handed swordswoman, as well as a right-handed archer.
• Though many Disney fans will disagree, Mulan is technically not a Disney princess, as she is neither the daughter of a king nor the wife of a prince. But she is certainly a princess to countless fans across the world!
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