The trailers of the new live-action Mulan film has gained certain recognition already. Set to release on March 27th 2020. The producer Jason Reed has made some of his own changes in the original 1998 Disney version of the film. The biggest of them all is the removal of Li Shang. The character who played Mulan's love interest as well as the head general of the army. While it has left the fans puzzled, Reed has his own explanation for this change.
Reed in his interview with Collider shed some light on this particular reason. Claiming that it was to restore the power balance between Mulan and her love interest. Observing the #Metoo movement and the current times, he said: " We didn’t think it was appropriate". "The power dynamic of their relationship felt wrong". Hence, the decision to do away with a character who was Mulan's love interest as well as superior to her.
He informed that as a solution, they decided on two characters. Commander Tung (Donnie Yen) who acts as a mentor as well as a father figure to Mulan. And, Honghui (Yoson An) her squadmate and her love interest. Some of the other changes undertaken by Reed includes that of making Mulan more "mature". Contrary to its earlier Disney version. It will also be PG-13. One of the first live-action Disney remake to have earned that status.
These changes have also affected other characters in the film. Such as that of Mushu, Mulan's dragon companion. which will no longer be a part of the live-action film. Played by Eddie Murphy in the original version of the film. It will no longer be a part of the live-action one.
