Live Action Mulan To Star Zhang Ziyi

The Hollywood Reporter has anounced that one of China's most sucessful actresses, Zhang Ziyi is to play the starring role in the new live-action version of Mulan. Jan de Bont, director of Speed will take the helm as director in the indie-financed film, which follows the story of legendary Chinese soldier Mulan who disguises herself as a man and joins the army.

Though many of us will only be familiar with The 1998 Disney version, the story actually originated from a 6th-century poem. With John Blickstead as screenwriter and De Bont's previous experience with action films (he also directed the second Lara Croft film) shooting is set to start this Autumn outside Beijing once the rest of the cast has been set.

Zhang Ziyi is also one of the more recognisable Chinese stars for an international audience thanks to her roles in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers and Hero, the largest grossing Chinese film export ever.

Source: Screenrush