Niki Caro set to direct Disney's live-action 'Mulan'

Image from Variety

By Darian Scalamoni

            Disney has found their director for the live-action Mulan and they’re staying in the family. According to THR, Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) will helm the live-action reimagining based on the 1998 animated movie from the same studio.

            Caro is now the second woman at Disney to direct a movie that has a budget over $100 million, the other being another director they just enlisted, Ava DuVernay for A Wrinkle in Time. Caro was also on the shortlist for Marvel’s upcoming Captain Marvel film that stars Brie Larson, but with her joining this project it seems that she’s out of the running for that job. Caro previously worked with Disney for the cross-country drama McFarland, USA.

            Caro won the job over other women who were in the running for woman-warrior re-telling like Patty Jenkins and Michelle MacLaren. Many have been concerned from the start if Mulan will be culturally authentic to which the producers and studio have tried to reassure the fans that that will be the case. Disney originally sought an Asian director for the project including Oscar-winner, Ang Lee, who passed due to scheduling issues as well as Jiang Wen, who is a hit director in China.

            Disney is now focusing on a casting search in China for all lead roles including the titular Mulan. Once casting announcements are made, we’ll be sure to have the details right here on Cinema Wave.