Li Shang was a popular character in the original "Mulan," and many people considered him bisexual since he was clearly drawn to Mulan while she presented as a male soldier named Ping. However, the character was cut from Disney's live-action remake. The producer Jason Reed cited the #MeToo movement as the reason.

Why is Shang not in the live-action Mulan?

In a February interview with Collider, Mulan producer Jason Reed said, “I think particularly in the time of the #MeToo movement, having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn't think it was appropriate.”

Why did Disney remove Li Shang?

In reality, the filmmakers claimed that they were influenced by the #MeToo Movement, finding it inappropriate for Mulan's love interest to be her commanding officer. Considering how poorly the animated film performed in China, Disney made an active effort to appeal to the Chinese market in its live-action film.

What happened to Li Shang in Mulan 2?

However, Shang is revealed to have survived the fall and goes to Qui Gong to stop her from marrying Lord Chin's son. Mulan almost goes through with the marriage but is stopped by the Golden Dragon of Unity, actually Mushu imitating the dragon by speaking from inside the statue.

Why is the new Mulan so different?

Unlike the animated film, the live-action story opens with Mulan's father, Hua Zhou, narrating the story of his legendary daughter. The animated film opens from the villain's perspective as he invades China through the Great Wall. The landmark isn't featured in the new Disney film.

Disney's Live Action Mulan Is CANCELLING Li Shang?!

What is the new Mulan controversy?

Almost as soon as the film arrived on Disney+, social media users noticed that, nine minutes into the film's 10-minute end credits, the “Mulan” filmmakers had thanked eight government entities in Xinjiang, the region in China where Uighur Muslims have been detained in mass internment camps.

Did China like the new Mulan movie?

Chinese critics, both at home and abroad, said they were disappointed with the film's inaccurate and stereotypical portrayals of Chinese history and the main character, infused with nationalist tropes. Others were not as bothered.

Why did Mulan 2 get negative reviews?

The biggest issue is this film features way less action than it's predecessor and way less Mulan (she practically disappears in the middle of the film). Mulan's bickering with Shang is also very badly written.

Why is Eddie Murphy not in Mulan 2?

A clause in Eddie Murphy's contract for doing Shrek 2 (2004) forbade him from reprising the role of Mushu in this film, therefore having his other voice actor Mark Moseley (a man best known for filling in for Murphy's characters like Mushu and Donkey in their TV and Video Game appearances) fill in for this film.

Is Li Shang still alive?

At the end of the film, however, it is revealed he somehow survived the fall (with help from his horse), and Mushu saves the day by pretending to be the Golden Dragon of Unity and freeing the princesses from their vows.

Why was Mushu removed from Mulan?

Mushu was seen as trivialising the Chinese culture

USC Professor Stanley Ronsen also told The Hollywood Report that the character was seen as a trivialisation of the culture in China. “Mushu was very popular in the US, but the Chinese hated it,” he said. “This kind of miniature dragon trivialised their culture.”

Did Li Shang fall in love with Ping?

In the film, Li Shang falls in love with Mulan after she enters the army disguised as a male soldier named Ping. Queer fans have always claimed Li Shang as one of their own because of his close, loving relationship with both Ping and Mulan, even though Disney has never commented on the Chinese army general's sexuality.

What characters are missing in Mulan?

However, Li Shang won't appear in the live-action Mulan, in one of the many changes from the animated film. Mushu the Dragon, who was voiced by Eddie Murphy in the original, won't appear either.

Did Li Shang know Mulan was a girl?

Although we never explicitly see Shang having feelings for Mulan before he gets to know that she is a woman we see their relationship strengthening during the story. The question that Mulan is asking him after he acts differently around her, “You said you trust Ping.

Why does Shang actually spare Mulan's life?

Though the law states that a woman who is discovered in the army is to be killed, Shang spares her due to the debt he owes her for saving him. Shang then leaves Mulan and leads his army to the Imperial City.

Who replaced Shang in Mulan?

Li Shang is replaced with Hong Hui

The team behind the new movie explained the change was down to the #MeToo movement - they felt Mulan's officer becoming her love interest felt a bit off given his position of power.

Why is Mushu so small?

Originally, Disney rejected the idea of having a dragon as Mulan's partner, but after learning that Chinese dragons could be many different sizes, the idea came back. For better use, the animators shrunk Mushu to a smaller size.

What happened to Mushu in Mulan 2?

Sometime later, Mulan and Shang officially marry in Mulan's village, and Mushu accepts the loss of his position. However, Shang combines the family temples, enabling Mushu to continue being a guardian spirit.

Why did Mushu get demoted in Mulan 2?

Mushu was once a guardian spirit of Mulan's family, but he has been demoted to the unappreciated position of an incense burner and gong-ringer for the deceased Fa ancestors ever since he failed to protect a family member, a soldier named Fa Deng, resulting in the soldier's demise by decapitation.

What was the problem with the new Mulan movie?

The issue was that Mulan was partially filmed in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in close proximity to detention camps for Uighur Muslims, and Disney gave credit to “publicity department of CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomy Region Committee” among other entities.

Why did they change the villain in Mulan?

In the 1998 film, Shan Yu simply doesn't have enough screen time, or bad guy moments, to emotionally impact audiences in general, even if he is indeed entertaining. For the live-action remake, he was replaced, and it was a strong move.

What is the moral of Mulan 2?

Mulan II teaches children to respect and appreciate the differences among people. Mulan is a noble leading character who epitomizes “girl power” by combining strength with femininity. Likewise, Shang is an honorable man committed to remaining loyal to his leaders.

Is the new Mulan more historically accurate?

While the basic premise of the animated version is the same, Disney updated many important details that make the live-action more historically accurate and true to the original Ballad of Mulan.

What do Chinese people think of Disney Mulan?

Disney's classic 'Mulan' flopped in China because audiences didn't think the heroine looked Chinese enough. Although Mulan is the only Disney Princess of East Asian descent, the original Mulan cartoon was a massive flop in China.

Which Mulan movie is better?

Ultimately, the animated Mulan is a better movie. Mulan is a stronger and more relatable protagonist, the movie is packed with a cast of supporting characters that all have well-developed arcs, and the music makes up one of Disney's best soundtracks.