Disney’s live-action adaptations of animated films have proven incredibly lucrative, and while there are tons in various stages of development, one just got pushed to the top of the pile: Mulan.
The Hollywood Reporter says Disney just set a November 2, 2018 release date for the live-action version of Mulan. To start the process, they’re launching a global search for a Chinese actress to play the lead character.
Though a director has yet to be hired, the script by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin is “a more nuanced and elaborate adaptation” of material “combining the legendary ballad and the 1998 animated film,” according to reports.
That ballad, and film, are based on the legend of Hua Mulan, a woman who pretended to be a man in order to go to war. In 1998, Disney released an animated musical, which was a substantial hit and remains a favorite from an otherwise down time for the company. That mix of reverence and timing make this film the perfect one for a live-action reimagination.