Zhang Ziyi To Produce And Star In 3D 'Mulan'

 

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will produce and star in a live-action English-language 3D adaptation of the Chinese folktale Mulan. The project is reportedly being backed by Disney and is set to be directed by Chuck Russell, whose previous credits include 'The Mask' and 'The Scorpion King'.

As if you didn't already know, the story centres around the lady warrior Hua Mulan, who impersonates a man to enlist in the army in her elderly father's place and repel an invasion of her homeland. Along the way, she becomes involved with fellow soldier General Li, who admires her and risks his life to hide her gender as state laws forbade women from joining the army.

Zhang has apparently been planning the film since last year, but the project got shelved due to funding problems after she became embroiled in a string of high-profile scandals. Luckily, during the Cannes International Film Festival in May this year, she was able to strike up a deal with Disney, who agreed to invest US$100 million (S$136 million) in the film.

US-born singer-actor Wang Leehom, who speaks fluent English, is currently said to be the favourite for the role of General Li.

The film is tentatively scheduled to go into production in China this October.

 

Zhang Ziyi

 

Source: Film Smash

Posted July 31, 2010