Disney has cast its lead in the live-action adaptation of “Mulan,” the studio announced Wednesday.
Chinese actress Liu Yifei, who is also known as Crystal Liu, will play the titular character in the film that will be directed by Niki Caro.
Jason Reed, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner producing, and Bill Kong is executive producing.
Disney’s full-scale revival project comes on the heels of remakes like “The Jungle Book” and “Beauty and the Beast,” both of which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. “Jungle Book” was a particular surprise hit, smashing box office projections by racking up $103 million in its opening weekend alone.
“Beauty and the Beast” grossed $174.8 million its opening weekend alone. A remake of “The Lion King” is one of many upcoming live-action projects.
The live-action projects have brought in top talent like Guy Ritchie, Jon Favreau, Tim Burton and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Yifei has starred in projects like “Once Upon a Time,” “Ip Man 3” and “The Chinese Widow.” She is currently in pre-production for “Inversion,” in which she will star alongside Samuel L. Jackson.
Last year, a petition circulated which urged Disney to cast an Asian actress in the part of Mulan in its forthcoming live-action remake, and sought to prevent a “whitewashed” version of the iconic character.
Disney’s live-action “Mulan” is slated to hit theaters Nov. 2, 2018.