Disney's live-action "Mulan"

[DarkKnight88]

A Phoenix? WTF?

 

[THORin]

This news, if true, seems kind of perplexing. Why change Mushu into a Phoenix? What is the benefit of that? I mean, maybe there’s a good reason for it, and I’m going to keep an open mind, but it just seems like a weird choice.

 

[DarkKnight88]

The point of him being a tiny dragon is that he’s not “measuring” up to what he’s supposed to be. Mirroring Mulan’s struggles of not being a man.

What’s a Phoenix going to bring to his character?

 

[flickchick85]

I'm not liking anything I'm hearing, tbh. Keeping the songs but as "instrumentals" only? What kind of half-assed measure is that? If you're just gonna make them background music, might as well ditch them entirely. You can totally tell there's a clash happening between the filmmakers and studio. "We don't want to make a musical!" "But people want the songs!" "Ok, how 'bout we keep the songs, but without the singing..."

 

[kaypain]

Cinderella wasn't a musical was it?

 

[flickchick85]

Cinderella wasn't a musical was it?

Nope. Similarly, it was originally going to be, and they cut the musical sequences before production began (presumably because Branagh wanted more scenes of character development, which was wise for that movie). Hence Lily James and Helena Bonham Carter singing the two most popular songs in the end credits.

BUT. The songs from Cinderella aren't nearly as popular with modern audiences as the songs from the movies of the Disney Renaissance. Cutting songs from Mulan is more like cutting the songs from Aladdin. A taller order for sure.

 

[Abudefduf]

Mulan isn't as popular as Aladdin, though.

 

[flickchick85]

I said "more like" not "exactly like," lol. It's closer to that bunch than to Cinderella, was the point.

 

[THORin]

Mulan isn't as popular as Aladdin, though.

I’ll Make A Man Out Of You is one of the most iconic Disney songs ever.

 

[Drizzle]

Mulan is probably the most popular musical from the later half of the Disney Renaissance. Tarzan is just as popular of a film, if not more, but the characters don't sing in that one apart from Trashing the Camp, which is more of a scat improv than a traditional song so I don't consider that to be a musical in the same vein as Mulan, The Lion King or Aladdin. But I digress, Mulan is pretty highly regarded even if it wasn't the juggernaut that The Lion King or Aladdin were.

 

[Abudefduf]

Mulan is probably the most popular musical from the later half of the Disney Renaissance.

That's not saying much, though.

Look, we can sit here and act like Mulan is some untouchable beloved classic but facts kind of speak for themselves. Domestically it was only a modest success and as far as I know in China it was a downright flop, for various reasons... what guarantees are there that a faithful live-action remake would fare any better?

And I'm saying all of this as someone who loves the movie.

I’ll Make A Man Out Of You is one of the most iconic Disney songs ever.

Rightfully so. That song rocks

 

[Silvermoth]

I guess a Phoenix did so well for the xmen they thought “hey break me off a piece of that” haha

 

[Gold Samurai]

I’ll Make A Man Out Of You is one of the most iconic Disney songs ever.

What about "Reflections"?

 

[THORin]

What about "Reflections"?

Yeah, you’re right. Reflections is definitely high on my personal list of Disney songs, even if it does tend to get overlooked and underrated, IMO.

Also, as I was listening to the song again just now (I can’t not listen to it), I was imagining how great it will sound in live-action...and then I remembered...

 

[jmc]

I'm not liking anything I'm hearing, tbh. Keeping the songs but as "instrumentals" only? What kind of half-assed measure is that? If you're just gonna make them background music, might as well ditch them entirely. You can totally tell there's a clash happening between the filmmakers and studio. "We don't want to make a musical!" "But people want the songs!" "Ok, how 'bout we keep the songs, but without the singing..."

Do we know exactly if there is some issue with the songs that the Chinese government might not like? It's obvious as hell Disney will be gunning for that Chinese coin with this film, but we all know they'll bend the knee in order to do it.

 

[Abudefduf]

I once read somewhere that one of the biggest issues China had with Mulan was that the movie felt too "western". The songs may have played a role in that.

 

[Dr.]

This news, if true, seems kind of perplexing. Why change Mushu into a Phoenix? What is the benefit of that? I mean, maybe there’s a good reason for it, and I’m going to keep an open mind, but it just seems like a weird choice.

What I learned from Google. Fenghuang is a bird from Chinese mythology, which is typically translated to “phoenix.” (Though, it doesn’t cyclically resurrect itself like the Greek version.) Interestingly, the Chinese phoenix is often paired with the mythical dragon - the dragon representing male and the phoenix female.

I’m not sure if the original plan was to anthropomorphize Mushu (have him speak with a human voice). But if they stick with this notion, then this new phoenix character might/should be female…?

 

[zephyrinthesky]

What I learned from Google. Fenghuang is a bird from Chinese mythology, which is typically translated to “phoenix.” (Though, it doesn’t cyclically resurrect itself like the Greek version.) Interestingly, the Chinese phoenix is often paired with the mythical dragon - the dragon representing male and the phoenix female.

I’m not sure if the original plan was to anthropomorphize Mushu (have him speak with a human voice). But if they stick with this notion, then this new phoenix character might/should be female…?

Yes, the dragon and phoenix are the two mythical creatures associated with the Chinese emperor and empress, respectively. So the phoenix is a more fitting icon in a female-centric adaptation.

If Eddy Murphy's not going to reprise his role and the choice was to go with a female actress for the character, the phoenix is the only move that makes sense to me as a Chinese person.

 

[Abudefduf]

Well, it does sound less stereotypical than the dragon. Apparently the pokemon Ho-Oh is based on the same bird. That's neat

 

[psylockolussus]

I guess a Phoenix did so well for the xmen they thought “hey break me off a piece of that” haha

The impact!

 

[Boom]

This is the one Disney remake I am actually really looking forward to.

 

[psylockolussus]

The 90s era of Disney Animation was phenomenal! I loved Mulan and the songs were quite nice. I don't mind if its not a musical as long as the movie is good.

I hope Disney adapts Pocahontas and Tarzan into a live action film as well after The Little Mermaid!

 

[terry78]

Ehhh.....

 

[TheVileOne]

I wish these remakes would stop.

 

[kaypain]

I wish these remakes would stop.

Why?

These stories are retellings of their own. I don't see what the problem is.

And theyre making millions on it and people want them to stop

why stop at something you're successful at?

It ain't like they having DC movie failures