Over the past decade, moviegoers and critics alike have teamed up to call out Hollywood and its history of white-washing casts. Recently, an adaptation of Ghost in the Shell came under fire for casting a white lead despite the story’s Japanese origins, and Disney’s live-action Mulan film sparked controversy yesterday. An anonymous letter written by someone who claimed to have read the film’s script alleged that a white actor was being used as a savior and love interest for Fa Mulan. But, now, the rumor has been debunked.
Sources associated with Mulan told Vulture the allegations were not true and that the adaptation would feature as Asian love interest. “The spec script was a jumping-off point for a new take on the story that draws from both the literary ballad of Mulan and Disney’s 1998 animated film,” the source stressed. “Mulan is and will always be the lead character in the story, and all primary roles, including the love interest, are Chinese.”
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The controversy began when an open letter published on Angry Asian Man went viral. The post accused Disney of white-washing the character of Shang from the original animatedfilm.
“The man is a 30-something European trader who initially cares only for the pleasure of women and money. The only reason why he and his entourage decide to help the Chinese Imperial Army is because he sets eyes on Mulan. That’s right. Our white savior has come to the aid of Ancient China due to a classic case of Yellow Fever,” the letter wrote, and netizens were quick to pick up on the writer’s words.
The rumors even prompted alums from Mulan to speak out against the possibility of white-washing. Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Fa Mulan in the the animated films, shared a tweet yesterday that read, “So many outraged fans have tweeted me about this. It’s upsetting & wrong. Hoping it’s NOT true.”
Luckily, it seems the actress can rest soundly knowing the accusations are false. While the initial script for Mulan might have featured a ‘White Savior’ trope, Disney has hired new writers to rectify the issue and create a nuanced story. And, earlier this month, Disney announced they were launching a global casting search to find a Chinese actress to play Mulan. The studio didn’t comment on if the initiative would look for actors to play the heroine’s love interest.
Despite yesterday’s fervor, there were many fans who believed Disney had better sense than to white-wash the beloved film. The studio has been vocal with their efforts to cast diverse talent for its recent live-action films, and critics praised The Jungle Book for its casting.
This incident isn’t the first time fans have approached Disney about their concerns about Mulan and white-washing. Earlier this summer, an online petition was created that asked the studio to hire Asian actors.
Mulan will hit theaters on November 2, 2018.
