Picture via Instagram
Let's get down to business and defeat while-washing! For a long time, white actors have been cast in roles originally meant for Asian people, including Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell and Tilda Swinton in Doctor Strange. Disney has bucked the outdated trend, thankfully choosing a Chinese actress to play Mulan in the 2019 live-action film.
The movie-making giant looked all over the world to find the perfect woman for the part. Beyond obviously acting ability and charisma, the casting directors were looking for martial arts skills and fluent English. In their search, they found Liu Yifei, also known as Crytal Liu, who will bring our favourite cartoon warrior woman to life.
The 30-year-old actress lived in New York City for part of her adolescence. Liu has been on the Chinese silver screen since 2004, but this will be her first time starring in an American film.
Liu may not be not well-known outside China, but Mulan fans have welcomed her casting.
"I still can't believe that Disney found the perfect actress to play Mulan," tweeted one person.
BEHOLD! LIU YIFEI! OUR LIVE ACTION MULAN! pic.twitter.com/NmyKJnvOwW
— JUSTINE (@jthuyvc) 30 November 2017
#Mulan #liuyifei I love this girl pic.twitter.com/cmYiGxlaWi
— YingHuang (@HuangYing1220) 30 November 2017
Liu is adorably nicknamed 'Fairy Sister' in China for her innocent public image, according to the Hollywood Reporter. While some people on Chinese social media were dubious about her casting, as her filmography contains some clunkers, Liu herself has star quality.
Chinese-American actress Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan in the 1998 animated film, gave Liu her blessing. She tweeted, "Congrats to Lu Yifei! Great choice for live action Mulan!"
Now the question remains - will Eddie Murphy return to play Mushu?
