‘Mulan’ First Look: Liu Yifei Makes Her Live-Action Debut As Disney’s Warrior Princess

Disney is celebrating the start of production on its live-action “Mulan” adaptation by debuting the first official look at actress Liu Yifei in character as the warrior princess. The movie is being directed by Niki Caro, best known as the filmmaker behind “Whale Rider” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife.”

“Mulan,” which Disney famously adapted into an animated movie in 1998, is set in China during the Han dynasty. The titular character is the daughter of the famous warrior Fa Zhou, who she impersonates in order to become a warrior and defend her people against an invasion. Liu Yifei was cast in the title role last November. The actress is beloved in China and was named one of the New Four Dan Actresses in 2009, which honors the country’s most popular and bankable stars.

In addition to Yifei, the film co-stars Donnie Yen as Mulan’s mentor Commander Tung, Jet Li as the emperor of China, and Gong Li as the film’s villain. Disney will release “Mulan” in theaters March 27, 2020.