When Disney’s live-action Mulan is released next month, it will be missing Li Shang, but producer Jason Reed explains there’s a good reason. The original Mulan came out in 1998 during a peak time for Disney animation. In that decade, they released Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Hercules, among other. Many of the movies released during that decade have gone on to receive the live-action treatment, with Mulan next. A fan favorite in the original movie is Li Shang, who becomes Mulan’s commanding officer and eventual love interest when she joins the war.
However, Li Shang won’t appear in the live-action Mulan, in one of the many changes from the animated film. Mushu the Dragon, who was voiced by Eddie Murphy in the original, won’t appear either. Some fans are also disappointed that the movie won’t be a musical, though, according to director Niki Caro, it will still include music in some way. Mulan also made headlines recently for its PG-13 rating, largely because of the film’s battle sequences, in a first for a Disney live-action remake. All told, the movie looks to be the retelling that will deviate the most from the original animated classic.
In an interview with Collider, producer Jason Reed discussed the Li Shang change specifically. Reed explained, “I think particularly in the time of the #MeToo movement, having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn’t think it was appropriate.” In the original movie, Li Shang and Mulan have a relationship built on mutual respect that eventually deepens into something more. However, Reed assured fans that the character’s presence will still be felt, as he’s instead been split into two new characters. According to Reed, “One became Commander Tung who serves as her surrogate father and mentor in the course of the movie. The other is Honghui who is [Mulan’s] equal in the squad.“
At the time of Honghui actor Yoson An’s casting, it was revealed that he eventually becomes her love interest, similar to Li Shang. An explained to Collider that his character’s relationship with Mulan will also start as a friendship, saying, “As they progress through the training together, they kind of have this unspoken bond about it because they recognize each other’s warrior spirit. That’s how they kind of build their friendship up to begin with, through the training and acknowledging each other.” He also revealed that Honghui and Mulan “start off on the wrong foot,” something that’s become a Disney staple at this point.
Reed’s comment about the #MeToo era is an interesting one. It’s certainly good to see movies and TV shows, many of which have referenced #MeToo directly, take the movement seriously and adapt storylines as necessary. However, media is also filled with stories of co-workers, some of whom are at different levels of the workplace, falling in love with another. Those stories can be told well, but they do require careful consideration. When Mulan premieres next month, fans will be able to see for themselves if Honghui and Commander Tung combined make up for the absence of Li Shang.
Key Release Dates
Mulan
Release Date:2020-09-04
