Disney's live-action "Mulan"

[DarthSkywalker]

By the time the movie opens, all of this will be forgotten.

That entirely depends on what happens in Hong Kong.

 

[Lencho01]

People are entitled to wrong opinions of course, but that doesn't mean others have to go along with it. And when you are cheering on police state crap that is getting people injured and killed, we know who is wrong.

Yeah, it's like when people bring up freedom of speech as if it means freedom from consequences of said speech or that it's not about the government's reaction.

 

[Kuwolski]

It will be funny if sooner or later Disney eventually has no choice but to start telling anyone they hire to keep any & all opinions to themselves

I'd be shocked if they did. Alan Horn stated in an interview after the rehiring of James Gunn that there would be no company policy regarding social media, basically relying on the artists sense of self-preservation. Some people were perplexed by this, but it seemed rather obvious to me. Having a company policy that censors an individual's voice before they even start working for you is not a good way to attract talent in the creative industry. Studios are often reactive in this regard, Gunn's firing/rehiring, The Hunt's cancellation/eventual release, etc, but it's the circumstances that dictate it.

 

[Legendver2]

She could have said nothing, but it's no surprise that a ton of Chinese celebs all of a sudden came out at the same time posting support for HK law enforcement using almost the exact same post. Nobody wants to get Fan Bing Bing'ed. And Disney's not gonna do anything. They can't fire her, as the movie's already in post, unlike Gunn who was still scripting. And they can't ditch her during promotions too, since she's the lead. She can't come out with an apology, because it will risk the Chinese audience, and maybe even her own well being. And if we're being #real, the only one's who are reasonably going to boycott this is HK, and HK isn't going to make a dent in the box office either way. And the boycott will be cancelled out by the Chinese audience who are going to watch this to support her nationalistic message now. As far as the rest of the international BO, it may or may not matter compared to China. In the US, by 2020, no one's going to remember HK. Sad, but American's barely remember shootings in their own country after 2 months. No one's gonna care especially in an election year when they got their own memes and issues to keep them distracted from whatever's happening in HK.

 

[Legendver2]

I'd be shocked if they did. Alan Horn stated in an interview after the rehiring of James Gunn that there would be no company policy regarding social media, basically relying on the artists sense of self-preservation. Some people were perplexed by this, but it seemed rather obvious to me. Having a company policy that censors an individual's voice before they even start working for you is not a good way to attract talent in the creative industry. Studios are often reactive in this regard, Gunn's firing/rehiring, The Hunt's cancellation/eventual release, etc, but it's the circumstances that dictate it.

Wasn't the Hunt's cancellation more based on the recent shootings and not what any one actor did/said? That seems like a completely different scenario.

 

[Webfoot Hero]

Wasn't the Hunt's cancellation more based on the recent shootings and not what any one actor did/said? That seems like a completely different scenario.

The Hunt was canceled because of both the recent shootings and likely Universal realizing that with the current political polarization, it wasn't the best time to release the film.

 

[Legendver2]

The Hunt was canceled because of both the recent shootings and likely Universal realizing that with the current political polarization, it wasn't the best time to release the film.

Yea, so a different scenario than an actor/actress saying something controversial.

 

[Webfoot Hero]

Yea, so a different scenario than an actor/actress saying something controversial.

Yeah, it's not even on the same level. The Mulan actor/actress comments and posts will really only affect the box office in Hong Kong, not box office in mainland China.

 

[Kuwolski]

Yea, so a different scenario than an actor/actress saying something controversial.

I think you missed the context of what I initially responded to. Telling an actor what they can or can't say is censorship, which is why I doubt it would ever be an official policy. The censorship in Hollywood is often more of a reaction to outrage and controversy, like The Hunt having it's upcoming release cancelled..

 

[Sithborg]

Working for Disney trumps your freedom in some cases. You see what went down with James Gunn last year.

"Freedom", in this case, is relative. Even high profile movie stars can... disappear.

Sometimes, it's best to just say nothing, especially when you've got the Mouse on your back.

You don't say anything, you can't say the wrong thing.

And I think having the Chinese Government on your back trumps Disney. Frankly, who really knows if that is her true opinions. It is the only real opinion she can have.

Boycott Mulan is trending on Twitter now so.....they are gonna jump on her ass pretty quick. Which is sad because she seems like a sweet chick but....it's Disney.

Disney is going to do jack ****. If they come down on her, thus essentially in support of Hong Kong, China will have no issue out right keeping all of Disney's content out of China. China is the one in power here.

 

[Legendver2]

And I think having the Chinese Government on your back trumps Disney. Frankly, who really knows if that is her true opinions. It is the only real opinion she can have.

Exactly. Fan Bing Bing, an arguably way bigger name than Liu, disappeared for months after a tax evasion scandal, and when she reappeared, she gave a statement in support of China. You don't **** with the Chinese government, especially if your face is currently playing a highly regarded nationalist figure.

Boycott Mulan is trending on Twitter now so.....they are gonna jump on her ass pretty quick. Which is sad because she seems like a sweet chick but....it's Disney.

Not saying whether her post is intentional or from management, but that post pretty much guaranteed this film hitting $1b with China's help now.

 

[Legendver2]

I think you missed the context of what I initially responded to. Telling an actor what they can or can't say is censorship, which is why I doubt it would ever be an official policy. The censorship in Hollywood is often more of a reaction to outrage and controversy, like The Hunt having it's upcoming release cancelled..

Oh I'm in agreement, I guess I just didn't make it sound like it lol.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

So I guess this one won't be making a billion. Yifei....

 

[DarthSkywalker]

"Freedom", in this case, is relative. Even high profile movie stars can... disappear.



And I think having the Chinese Government on your back trumps Disney. Frankly, who really knows if that is her true opinions. It is the only real opinion she can have.



Disney is going to do jack ****. If they come down on her, thus essentially in support of Hong Kong, China will have no issue out right keeping all of Disney's content out of China. China is the one in power here.

Yeah, I wouldn't be to sure considering the protesters aren't backing down and China is basically building up to some Tiamanmen Square ****. And if that happens, well it is going to be very interesting seeing Disney and the actress try to avoid that.

 

[Sithborg]

I mean, the actress is already trying to avoid being a part of it. And given this administration, doesn't want to go away like Fan Bingbing. It isn't just her career on the line.

As for Disney, they have made nearly a billion dollars in China so far. I think you can guess what side they will end up on.

 

[Lencho01]

So I guess this one won't be making a billion. Yifei....

Still the pinnacle of “Reality TV” for me.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I mean, the actress is already trying to avoid being a part of it. And given this administration, doesn't want to go away like Fan Bingbing. It isn't just her career on the line.

As for Disney, they have made nearly a billion dollars in China so far. I think you can guess what side they will end up on.

She is a naturalized American citizen. She never has to go back to China.

If this escalates, and the protesters seemed determined, while China is trying to place them as some sort of terrorists while gearing up their army, Disney is not going to want to be seen as supporting mass murder of people. I don't care how much money they make in China. I don't care if they have two theme parks there. This has been trending all day. Imagine if something even more serious happens? How do you think that will play anywhere other then China?

 

[Schlosser85]

Movies and the arts should never be boycotted due to outside factors. That's censorship.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Movies and the arts should never be boycotted due to outside factors. That's censorship.

I am confused. Are you saying people shouldn't be allowed to boycott something because that is censorship? How is that censorship? If someone doesn't want to go see a movie because they don't like an actor, director, studio, etc. that is there decision. Saying that can't do that would be closer to censorship. Like how the Chinese government doesn't allow citizens to protest against them.

 

[Schlosser85]

I'm not saying they shouldn't be *allowed* to, I'm saying they shouldn't.

And a movie shouldn't be judged or penalized due to outside factors beyond its own merits.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I'm not saying they shouldn't be *allowed* to, I'm saying they shouldn't.

And a movie shouldn't be judged or penalized due to outside factors beyond its own merits.

But you said it was censorship. How is it censorship? No one is forcing them to change the movie or not release the movie. It is no different then someoen saying they aren't going to watch a movie because they find Jennifer Lawrence annoying.

Theoretically that applies to everything. A fast food chain, a hotel, etc. But if you find out a Neo Nazi or rapist is the star of a television show, I think many would think twice about watching it. But even beyond that, everyday people make decision on what movies to watch, what music to listen to, based on those involved. If Don Jr. was in a movie tomorrow, you could be sure I wouldn't watch it, no matter how good it may or may not be.

 

[Marvolo]

By the time this comes out the situation in china could be such that Disney will not want to release the film in China or the government may not allow it. So the actress's words may end up being irrelevant.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

By the time this comes out the situation in china could be such that Disney will not want to release the film in China or the government may not allow it. So this all could be a non issue.

If that is the case, something really bad would have happened. And considering how bad things already are, I really hope that isn't the case.

 

[kaypain]

Everytime I read boycott regarding a damn movie...

 

[Arachnerd]

I yearn for the days when people could discuss movies without bringing politics into it, as well as pre-Twitter Internet. Boy do I miss those days.