Major Hollywood feature film searches for Kiwi actors
A live-action version of the 1998 Disney animated hit Mulan is expected to be partly filmed in New Zealand sometime in the next year.
Disney is on the search for actors of Asian and Arab decent with skills in horseriding, martial arts and traditional Chinese calligraphy - to name a few.
The "major feature film" hasn't been named but it is expected to be Niki Caro's long-awaited Mulan - a live-action adaption of the 1998 Disney animation.
Caro (Whale Rider) has already locked in action-legend Jet Li (The Expendables) and acclaimed actress Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha) who are set to play the Chinese Emperor and the movie's main villain respectively. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mulan will be played by Chinese superstar Liu Yifei.
Mulan tells the story of a young Chinese peasant girl who disguises herself as a man so she can go to war.
It is also understood that Rogue One's Donnie Yen is in line to play Commander Tung, a mentor and teacher to Mulan.
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The casting call out was after people of all ages to play characters of Chinese, Mongolian, Afghan, Turkmen, Kazakh, Iranian, Pakistani and Indian ethnic descents.
If you've got extra Mulan skills - even better. They're on the look out for folks with specific skills such as blacksmithing, drumming, traditional Chinese or Indian music, dance, traditional Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and horse riding.
And people with long hair are also asked to apply.
Filming will start at the end of August and go through to December - Disney is promising all roles will be fully paid.
Those interested can apply here.
Liu Yifei is set to play the legendary Chinese hero, Mulan.
- Stuff
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