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Disney Debunks Rumors That Mulan's Love Interest in the Live-Action Film is A White Guy


Yesterday, there was a rumor that claimed that Disney was turning Mulan's love interest in the new, live-action film The Legend of Mulan into a white guy. The rumor drew a lot of angry reactions from anti-whitewashing fans who expect the character to be Chinese. But thankfully, a new report has emerged saying that the film will have no White leads.

According to an anonymous post from Angry Asian Man, the spec script was seeking for a 30-something European trader to play the romantic lead, instead of Li Shang. The character would live a greedy life until setting eyes on Mulan, after which he would volunteer to help the Chinese Imperial Army.

"I am deeply disturbed that a remake of the beloved Disney classic rejects the cultural consciousness of its predecessor by featuring a white male lead, once again perpetuating the myth that cultural stories are not worth telling without a western lens or star," they said on Angry Asian Man. "Instead of seizing the opportunity to highlight a tenacious, complex female warrior, this remake diminishes her agency."

That's a terrible idea, but thankfully, Disney told Vulture today that since that spec script, it has hired new writers and will cast a Chinese actor to play Mulan's love interest:

"The spec script was a jumping-off point for a new take on the story that draws from both the literary ballad of Mulan and Disney's 1998 animated film," the source said. "Mulan is and will always be the lead character in the story, and all primary roles, including the love interest, are Chinese."

That's good to know that Disney won't whitewash the roles in the live-action Mulan. Whitewashing has been a concern ever since Disney announced the film, though most of the concern was whether Mulan herself would be portrayed by a White woman.

The live-action Mulan movie will be released on November 2, 2018

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