Since the announcement of the plan to make a 'Mulan Live-Action', fans have been up in arms regarding the casting of the Disney animated classic. Even with just unconfirmed castings and speculated choices for the role of Mulan, fans already have complaints and petitions, warning Disney to avoid whitewashing and get it right.
Interestingly, the 'Mulan Live-Action's' only point of casting contention for fans is that of the titular role. According to Movie News Guide, Ming Na Wen, who had been the acting voice of Mulan in the 1998 original animation and in the 2005 sequel, 'Mulan II', could have been a choice but was refused the role due to her descent. Fans have petitioned that a Chinese actress play the part, and while being from Macau, a city of China, Ming Na Wen is a Macau-American actress, and fans deemed her not eligible. Another rumor say that it was because Ming Na Wen might be old for the role.
In an ironic turn of events, the petition has made Jenna Ushkowitz the frontrunner for 'Mulan Live-Action'. Ushkowitz is Korean-American, and played the role of Tina Cohen-Chang in Glee. Her descent, which was the original issue of the fan petition against Ming Na Wen, is even farther from their original goal of a Chinese actress. One might question, what exactly is the basis of this particular fan petition casting that has caused a hullabaloo especially when no official casting has even been made.
According to Movie Pilot, the 'Mulan Live-Action' movie is one of Disney stories people are excited to see adapted. It has the potential of a visually stunning, compelling story, and can even be darker than the original. From a "snowy mountain fight" to the war and a lot more, 'Mulan Live-Action' has what it takes to be arresting in narrative and visuals.
Understandably, with such a promising project, Disney must get the casting of the 'Mulan Live-Action' right. However, fans must also give ample attention to the other characters that Disney describes as "full of daring action" and "hilarious." Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek are on board writing the adaptation.
The 'Mulan Live-Action' is about the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan who takes the place of her sick father in war, and defies the gender roles assigned by a male-dominated society. With whitewashing issues and strong fan petition, casting may be a littletricky for Disney. However, if fans are adamant about the Chinese descent of the actress for the 'Mulan Live-Action', then Jenna Ushkowitz hardly seems the choice, especially over Ming Na Wen. Oddly, other Chinese actresses have yet to join the fray for discussions or petitions for the role.
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