The race between Disney and Sony’s competing Mulan projects is beginning to heat up. Late last year, we brought you the news that the latter studio had drafted in Alex Graves (Game of Thrones) to direct. All has been quiet on the Sony front ever since, but we understand that, in respecting the Chinese heritage at the heart of Hua Mulan’s epic story, both live-action interpretations will feature predominantly Asian casts.
Going one step further, it’s now been revealed that Disney has appointed Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife) at the helm of its own Mulan movie. The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop, confirming that Caro, who enjoyed her big break back in 2002 through acclaimed family drama Whale Rider, saw off competition from Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) and the prolific Michelle MacLaren (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones) to land the gig, and will work alongside Crouching Tiger’s Bill Kong, who has also signed on to executive produce. According to THR, Caro is only the second female filmmaker to direct a movie with a budget in excess of $100 million, after Ava DuVernay (A Wrinkle in Time).
For those keeping a close eye on Captain Marvel, news that Niki Caro will take the reins on Mulan surely takes her out of the running to direct Brie Larson in Marvel’s 2019 solo movie. That being said, the studio is reportedly in no rush to reveal the identity of their chosen candidate.
Disney’s reimagining of Mulan is one of many live-action reboots incubating in development at the Mouse House (see: Beauty and the Beast, Cruella, The Lion King), and it’s currently slated for November 2nd, 2018. Nothing to report on Sony’s rival project just yet, but we’ll keep you posted as more information comes to light.