Speaking about the upcoming live-action remake of the 1998 animation, producer Jason Reed spills that the army leader character has been split into two new ones.
- March 3, 2020
AceShowbiz - Disney bosses dropped the character Li Shang from the live-action remake of "Mulan", because they feared the storyline involving his character was no longer appropriate in the #MeToo era.
In the 1998 animated original, the army leader, voiced by James Shigeta, developed a bond with Mulan's male alter-ego Ping, and they date when her true identity is revealed.
Producer Jason Reed admits Disney chiefs were uncomfortable with the power dynamics of the relationship, telling Collider, "I think particularly in the time of the #MeToo movement, having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn't think it was appropriate."
"We split Li Shang into two characters. One became Commander Tung, who serves as her surrogate father and mentor in the course of the movie. The other is Honghui who is her equal."
Dragon Mushu, who was voiced by Eddie Murphy, also won't be making an appearance in the new movie.
