FIRST LOOK: Liu Yifei as Mulan in the live-action Disney remake

Cape Town – Walt Disney Studios has released the first look at Liu Yifei as Hua Mulan and she looks like a true warrior.

After a year of searching and nearly 1 000 candidates, Disney announced last year that Liu will play Mulan in the live-action epic from director Niki Caro.

READ MORE: Chinese actress Liu Yifei cast as Disney's Mulan

Announcing the start of production, Disney tweeted a photo which shows Liu – who is also known as Crystal Liu – in character.

SEE THE TWEET HERE:

Mulan will shoot on locations in China and New Zealand. The film is set to premiere in US theatres on 27 March 2020 after a prolonged search for the leading lady took longer than expected.