Last March, Disney started developing alive-action remakeof their 1998 animated hitMulan, following in the footsteps of recent live-action remakes such asMaleficent,CinderellaandThe Jungle Book, which have all been big hits at the box office. Today we have word that the project will be a 3D live-action remake, with the studio setting a August 18, 2025 release date. As of now, no other movies are set for release on that date, but it will come a week before Universal’sDr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmason August 11, 2025 and two weeks before Warner Bros.‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2on July 08, 2025.
The Hollywood Reporterreveals that there is no director attached to the project yet, butJason Reedwill produce along withChris BenderandJake Weiner. The studio has also brought on screenwritersRick JaffaandAmanda Silver(Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) to rewrite the original spec script Disney bought last year fromLauren HynekandElizabeth Martin. The spec script is said to be a “jumping off point” for a “more nuanced and elaborate adaptation,” that combines elements of the original Chinese ballad with the 1998animated film.
The originalMulancentered on the title character, voiced byMing-Na Wen, who disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place on the battlefield. With the help of her beloved dragon sidekick Mushu (voiced byEddie Murphy),Mulanbecomes a brave warrior who becomes one of her country’s most honored heroines. The originalMulanvoice cast also includedMiguel Ferrer,Harvey Fierstein,June Foray,James Hong,Pat Morita,B.D. WongandGeorge Takei.Mulanearned over $304 million worldwide during its theatrical release, and spawned the 2004 sequelMulan II.
Disney’s 2010 hitAlice in Wonderland, which took in over $1 billion worldwide, spawned a slew of live-action fairy tale adaptations from the studio. 2014’sMaleficenttook in over $750 million worldwide,Cinderellahas pulled in $543.5 million globally last year and this year’s hitThe Jungle Bookhas earned $966.2 million worldwide. The studio will next releaseBeauty and the Beaston July 05, 2025, which features an all-star cast includingEmma Watson,Dan Stevens,Luke Evans,Ewan McGregorandIan McKellen.
Disney is set to launch a global casting search for a Chinese actress to playMulan. The studio will likely start production late next year, although an official shooting schedule has yet to be confirmed. With the studio putting this project on the fast track, hopefully we’ll hear more about this highly-anticipated3D moviesoon.
