Disney’s “Mulan” remake has been met with bad reviews, boycotts, and accusations of mishandling Chinese culture.
So far 2 Asian Hollywood stars have appeared to have thrown shade (not at the actors but rather) at the production. Although “Mulan” is based on ancient Chinese folklore and features predominantly Asians, it had a very skewed stereotyped view on Chinese culture.
Simu Liu – who is currently filming Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in Australia – took to Twitter to criticise the movie’s overuse of the concept of “honour”. The Chinese Canadian actor also made a sarcastic remark about White creatives’ take on an Asian storyline.
“BRB though I gotta think about my honour for the fourth time this hour, it’s very important to me, as you can tell from movies that your people have written about my people,” the 31-year-old action star wrote. In case you’re wondering, the “Mulan” screenwriters include Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin.
BRB though I gotta think about my honour for the fourth time this hour it’s very important to me, as you can tell from movies that your people have written about my people.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) September 5, 2020
Ming-Na Wen, who played the titular role in the 1998 animated feature, also poked fun at the new remake. In speaking with The New York Times, the 56-year-old actress addressed Disney’s choice to remove the empowering hair-cutting scene.
“I’m sure Yifei is going to get incredible accolades as the live-action Mulan, but I hope everyone will still have a little place in their hearts for the animated Mulan. I mean, at least she cut her hair,” she was quoted as saying.
Ming-Na Wen was initially supposed to portray the potential mother-in-law for the matchmaker scene. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflict for “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, they settled for a cameo to take place at the end of the movie.
“I’d just make a cameo at the very end to announce Mulan to the emperor. I thought that was very appropriate and just wonderful, a little Easter egg where I could pass the baton. And this time, they only needed me there for a week. So it all worked out!” she told the publication.
When asked about her character for the new remake, the actress explained, “She was probably one of the relatives of the emperor, whether she married into that high status or not.”
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff didn’t mince words when the topic centred on the hybrid release of “Mulan”. She said, “I don’t completely understand Disney’s strategy, but they are releasing ‘Mulan’ ‘internationally in some theatres. (Having said that) I’m rooting for anybody who is getting a movie out.”
“Mulan” is currently screening in cinemas and available to stream on Disney Plus.
Source: Next Shark.
