Director Ang Lee Passes on Disney's Live-Action MULAN; Rival Pic in the Works at Sony

As BWW reported last week, Disney confirmed that a live-action reboot of the animated classic, MULAN was in the works and that the project has been fast-tracked to hit theaters on November 2, 2018. Jason Reed is expected to produce the film featuring a script by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

This week, The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Sony Pictures will also be working on a live action adaptation of the ancient Chinese folktale. Featuring a script by Mirror Mirror's Jason Keller, the project is reportedly in the very Early Stages of development.

Both studios are currently seeking an Asian director for their respective projects. According to the report, award-winning helmer Ang Lee was approached by Disney for the job but passed on the opportunity. As BWW reported earlier in the week, Disney has confirmed that the upcoming film will feature an all-Asian cast. Sony's version will reportedly feature a "predominantly Asian cast."

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Disney's orginal 1998 animated MULAN featured the voices of Lea Salonga, Ming-Na Wen, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, Eddie Murphy, Harvey Fierstein, and many others. The story centers on a young woman who disguises herself as a man so she can take her father's place in the army and go to war. With the help of her trusty dragon sidekick Mushu, she becomes a skilled warrior and, eventually, one of the country's greatest heroines.

MULAN earned $304.3 million worldwide, and went on to receive Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. In 2005, the studio released a direct-to-DVD sequel, Mulan II.

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios