MULAN Director Niki Caro Explains Why Mushu Wasn't Part Of Her Live-Action Adaptation

MULAN Director Niki Caro Explains Why Mushu Wasn't Part Of Her Live-Action Adaptation

The live-action Mulan on Disney+ has received positive reviews from critics, including our own, but director Niki Caro now explains why one fan-favorite part of the animated classic was nowhere to be seen!

By Nighthawk01 - Sep 07, 2020 04:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Disney
Source: USA Today

Disney's live-action Mulan pays homage to the 1998 animated feature in a lot of ways, with the score even incorporating elements of the songs made famous by the original. However, the cast never breaks into song in the Disney+ release, and there's definitely no sign of Mushu.

Voiced by Eddie Murphy, the talking dragon served as a sidekick to Mulan, and comic relief.

His presence was missed in the new version of the story, though a Phoenix did serve as something of a replacement (even if it didn't talk and only showed up a handful of times). In an interview with USA Today, director Niki Caro acknowledged how important Mushu was to the original Mulan, but explained why the character didn't fit in her retelling of the classic tale. 

"Mushu, beloved as that character is in the animation, was Mulan’s confidante, and part of bringing it into the live-action is to commit to the realism of her journey, and she had to make those relationships with her fellow soldiers," Caro explains. "So there was certainly a lot to work with in that department."

That's not the most convincing of explanations, but if you've watched Mulan, then you'll surely agree that there wasn't much room for a cartoon dragon to be talking to the warrior throughout her journey.

Click HERE for more Mulan news from CBM!

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RokoVII
RokoVII - 9/7/2020, 4:56 AM
Realism? Doesnt the movie have a witch that shapeshifts into a bird?
hotsoup1
hotsoup1 - 9/8/2020, 2:01 AM
Well based on what shes saying shes not knocking the magic of having a talking dragon, shes knocking the point of that character in the journey. She could have worded it better but basically shes saying removing the character of mushu allows them to explore her relationships with every other character more. They may have been able to do mushu anyways but regardless I didnt miss, plus I thought it was more culturally appropriate seeing that the Phoenix represents the Feminine in Chine culture and the Dragon represents the Masculine. I do think the connections with her and the witch were a nice addition as well. Its like the confronting of the Shadow in Animes, even luke did it. So the which was like what Mulan could have been if left unchecked, without her 4 core principles. so that was a dope parallel for me
dragon316
dragon316 - 9/7/2020, 4:56 AM
Having talking dragon is making it kids movie again with live action people are saying they didn’t like Aladdin that’s another live action close to animated with extra scenes and music but no one ever mentions key and tramp live action version I like Mulan over lion king first half of dumbo was good but second half I didn’t like that much but still good movie that movie did not have mouse side kick and talking crowd for dumbo interact with
rkshuttleworth
rkshuttleworth - 9/7/2020, 5:07 AM
When it comes down to it they were trying to save time and money, I would think. It has nothing to do with realism. They could have tried to make an attempt to make a realistic looking dragon.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 9/7/2020, 8:18 AM
@rkshuttleworth -
If they were trying to save money, they could have cut out the evil shape shifting witch who undermines the entirety of Mulan's journey and introduces a magical element that makes Mulan the chosen one.
rkshuttleworth
rkshuttleworth - 9/7/2020, 3:49 PM
@Scarilian - You mean have the dragon instead or that money and finances was probably not a reason? I certainly don't believe the realism argument that was used.
Origame
Origame - 9/7/2020, 5:15 AM
Here's mushu when he found out he wasn't gonna be in the remake.

E4Nigma
E4Nigma - 9/7/2020, 5:17 AM
Realism? The movie has an evil shape shifting witch...

m1doriya
m1doriya - 9/7/2020, 5:18 AM
Glad it wasn't my $30 that paid to watch this garbage
GothamSon
GothamSon - 9/7/2020, 5:23 AM
Mushu couldn't be there, because he was chillin' with Shrek in the swamp.



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