Disney's "Mulan" To Receive Live-Action Treatment in 2018

Fresh off the heels of last week's announcement regarding "The Lion King," Disney is stepping up its game of adapting animated classics to live-action form, as the company formally announces that "Mulan" will be receiving the said treatment next.

Touted to be a contemporary take on the 1998 animated film of the same name, the film will be based on the exploits of the Chinese legend Hua Mulan, who joined the ranks of the Imperial Army while posed as a male soldier, following the untimely illness of her father.

It won't be the first time Mulan will be introduced in live-action mediums. Jamie Chung played an alternate version of the character in ABC's "Once Upon a Time." On the other hand, Chinese actress Zhao Wei portrayed Hua Mulan in a 2009 theatrical adaptation of the Disney classic, which is more based on historical accounts of the legendary icon. It is worthy of note that the said role earned Zhao Wei multiple Best Actress nods and awards.

Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver have penned the latest draft for the screenplay, following a sampling written by Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek back in 2015. Disney points out that this adaptation wouldn't utilize the animated classic alone as basis, but also the original transcripts of the legend.

As of writing, there are no directors and actors attached with the project, but Disney has been reportedly fast-tracking the progress of the film, and is hoping to cast a Chinese actress for the lead role.

Disney's "Mulan" is slated to hit theaters on November 2, 2018.