‘Mulan’ Live-Action Movie Taps ‘McFarland USA’ Director Niki Caro, ‘Hero’ Producer Bill Kong

Disney is currently preparing for its "Mulan" live-action movie after "Cinderella" was well-received in 2015. This time around, the entertainment company is tapping "McFarland, USA" director Niki Caro and well-known "Hero" producer Bill Kong to handle the film.

Disney is revving up its slate of movies, from Marvel films to "Star Wars". Of course, it hasn't forgotten the fairy tale films that it built its fame upon. The "Mulan" live-action movie will be directed by Niki Caro ("McFarland, USA", "Whale Rider"). Before Disney went with her, however, the company had considered Patty Jenkins ("Wonder Woman") and Michelle MacLaren ("Breaking Bad", "The Walking Dead", "Game of Thrones").

The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that Disney already has a prior working experience with Caro on "McFarland, USA", which revolves around a track-and-field high school team. The studio heads have also promised fans that the film will not whitewash the characters. The "Mulan" live-action movie will primarily star Asian actors and will be culturally authentic.

Chinese director Ang Lee was also pegged for "Mulan", but Lee was still on contract for "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk." Sony also has its own "Mulan" live-action movie, which will be directed by Alex Graves ("Game of Thrones"). This one will stick to the historic legend of Hua Mulan while Disney's film will adapt its animated version from 1998.

Disney's live-action Mulan now has a female director (Niki Caro) and Asian producer (Bill Kong). Ang Lee passed. https://t.co/GaVUtm8tFV

— Kelly Konda (@WeMinoredInFilm) February 14, 2017

Disney also brought in Bill Kong ("Hero", "House of Flying Daggers", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") as executive producer for the film. Kong is a household name when it comes to filming historical pieces in Ancient China. The "Mulan" live-action movie script is written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver ("Jurassic World", "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"). The studio is actively pursuing actors from mainland China for the lead roles.

This is a great change from past reports that revealed that the script featured a white male lead for Mulan. MovieWeb reports that the 2015 "Mulan" live-action movie script featured a European trader as Mulan's leading man. Social media was abuzz with protests. This prompted Disney to release a formal statement assuring fans that the main characters will be Chinese.

The 1998 film earned $304.3 million worldwide and was nominated for Golden Globe and Academy awards. There's still no news about the "Mulan" live-action movie release date, but Caro's other film, "The Zookeeper's Wife" will be in theaters on March 31, 2017.