Two Live Action 'Mulan's Looking for Chinese Casts

Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2010)

You may have heard about the brief social media tornado of outrage yesterday over Disney having a bought a spec script for Mulan that not only white washed the story with a 'white savior' but took our heroine out of the center and placed her as the equivalent of eye candy and prize to be won.

Disney's current live action Mulan on Once Upon A Time

You will be glad to know, Disney confirmed this is NOT the direction they are headed. At all.

In fact, they're not only very intently on a global search for a Chinese cast, for their newly fast-tracked film, but have announced they're ideally looking to have an Asian director too. (Ang Lee was approached and passed on the project, so the search continues. Source) And they've got competition.

Sony is also looking for an Asian director and plans to feature a "predominantly Asian cast" for their version of Mulan as well.

From the announcement a month ago:

While no plot details were revealed about how Sony's Mulan will differ from Disney's version, there are plans for it to shoot in China, be made with a "Chinese partner" and feature a mostly Chinese cast.

(We would hope this is a given for any Mulan project but perhaps it's better to just state the obvious and remove doubt up front. For your diversion, enjoy the Mulan cosplay by Ukranian cosplayer Buta-kun - many more photos at the link.)

The Sony project, while busy trying to snap up cast and crew from under Disney's nose, is in much earlier stages of development, however. Mirror Mirror's Jason Keller is currently writing the script* but the film likely won't hit theaters until well after Disney's already slated release of November 2, 2018 - if it does at all.

Competing with Disney to make a fairy tale, myth, legend or fable in the current live action trend is a race against a behemoth and it will take a determined and confident studio and film crew to get their film to release.

Warner Bros Jungle Book, once neck-and-neck with Disney in production has now been shifted to a 2018 release. With the unexpectedly huge success of Disney's version, we don't envy the Warner Bros team in their battle to The End, though we do look forward to seeing the legend take center stage again for a while.

It should be noted, that China and Hong Kong have already made quite a few live action film versions. One of the best is said to be the Huangmei Opera version from 1964 with Ivy Ling but the 2010 version, Mulan: Rise of a Warrior, with Vicki Zhao Wei was well received too. (See posters below.)
              
You can see the impressive trailer of the 2010 film below:

* As far as Disney Mulan script, Jurassic World's writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver were hired to rewrite and Disney reportedly liked it so much, this is what put it on the fast track. 

Update on Various Live Action 'Little Mermaid's

This post is not about the Disney live action in the making. That's only recently been confirmed as a legitimate project and everything around it is very hush, hush at present. As we all know, however, there are others in the works...

In particular, we have been very interested in the live action movie by a different studio, Universal, said to follow Hans Christian Andersen's story much more faithfully, which originally had Sofia Coppola attached to direct. (We are sadly certain it would have been amazing... sigh.)

It's been in the works a long time now and has looked so promising, so often, only to have continual setbacks. Coppola resigning was a big blow to high hopes across the board for a truly interesting film (especially after the first casting of a transgender supermodel Andrej Pejic as one of the mermaid sisters). She cited creative differences, especially with regard to wanting to cast an unknown in the lead role. Most recently in September, Chloe Grace Moretz, chosen to star in the title role by the following (and currently attached) director, Rebecca Thomas, also quit the project (and many others), for personal reasons. (The Moretz pictures in this post are from her Facebook earlier this year, showing her initial enthusiasm for the project.)

Chloe Grace Moretz

With the movie originally planned for release in 2017, up till as late as the middle of this year, what's happening with it now? It's a little difficult to tell. much of the original information has disappeared, even from general production news and casting sites. Director Rebecca Thomas, is still attached and while there's been no official word on Pejic pulling out, she's no longer listed as attached either, but that's all that seems to be confirmed.

It gets confusing quickly with at least two other indie Little Mermaids set to release in 2017, not to mention that Disney has now confirmed they'll be doing a live action adaptation of their own animated classic.

The most interesting of the films, at present, is family film adaptation by MVP, with Poppy Drayton (The Shannara Chronicles) starring as the mermaid, and film legend Shirley McLaine. Here's the description:

Poppy Drayton, promo pic
for The Little Mermaid

(The) story follows a young orphan (Peralta) who discovers a beautiful and enchanting creature (played by Drayton) she believes to be the real “Little Mermaid.” MacLaine portrays Eloise, an eccentric woman who has intimate knowledge of the story. 

“We’re thrilled to be launching MVP Studios with ‘A Little Mermaid,’ a magical adventure that uses the beloved fairy tale as its jumping off point, but is an all-new story with all-new characters that the entire family can enjoy,” the producers said in a statement.

While it sounds like a fun fantasy film for the family, it seems doubtful this will have Little Mermaid fans as excited as they could be, since neither the plot of HCA's fairy tale will be followed, nor will it reflect the Disney film.

What it does tell us, though, is that there is a lot of mermaid and water-folk buzz in the film industry at present. Between all the various adaptations, a selkie film, Disney confirming their live action adaptation and the announcement that Disney/Touchstone's Splash is getting a remake (why?), we're set for much water magic at the box office in the next couple of years.

Fairy Tale Transformation Illustrations from Ivana's House of Fairy Tales

These unusual fairy tale illustrations by Ivo Matić are from Ivanas' House of Fairy Tales, which is a unique multimedia and interactive visitor's center and permanent exhibition, which celebrates fairy tales and their makers. (Located in Ogulin, Croatia) The illustrations are displayed on a tablet though a "secret spyhole" within the exhibition and are just one part of an interactive multimedia display/experience.

Our mission is to celebrate the writings of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić and to use fairy tales to inspire a love of reading, knowledge and creative expression. By promoting the knowledge of fairy tales – a widespread literary genre – we encourage intercultural exchange and enhance the cultural and tourist prosperity of Ogulin, while actively contributing to the development of the city and improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.

The idea behind Ivana's House of Fairy Tales is part of a cultural incentive from the local Board of Tourism to encourage the perception that Ogulin is a unique, beautiful and culturally important place to visit, along with the international Ogulin Fairy-Tale Festival.

The reason it's called Ivana's House, is wonderful and easiest to explain by including some text from the official website HERE:

This idea was inspired by the fact that Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić – Croatia's foremost writer of fairy tales – was born in Ogulin. Tales of Long Ago, her most successful collection of fairy tales, bears traces of the natural beauties of Ogulin, and the intangible heritage of its tales and legends.  

...More than sixty collaborators from different areas of expertise were involved in the various phases of developing Ivana's House of Fairy Tales. Their wide range of knowledge along with a variety of their individual talents and skills makeIvana's House of Fairy Tales a prime example of an interdisciplinary and multimedia team project! The project would surely not have been so successful without the highly motivated local inhabitants, who took an active part in the various activities and showed support for the idea of turning their hometown into a homeland of fairy tales.

We admit we are not very familiar with Ivana's fairy tales but it would seem more than just this Polish fairy tale writer's are represented at the center. We see both Grimm's and Andersen's tales represented in the illustrations as well as Japanese and Russian tales.

Although only a selection of the "porthole illustrations" showing transformation in fairy tales (the pen and ink drawings above) are available to view online (to see the others you need to visit the center), there's a description of the experience on the website and I'm including it here. (Note: I do not intend to breach any copyright but only to encourage people to visit and appreciate the project.)

 

The interactive and multimedia permanent exhibition is based on the principles of knowledge, creativity and the use of new technologies.  

The exhibition starts with the “Magic Forest”: a gateway into the world of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, a world where trees narrate episodes from Ivana's life and stories from her books, a place where clever heads and capable hands can put together a real fairy tale! 

The “Enchanted Castle Hallways” are the perfect place to “get busy with” exploring fairy tales: what are fairy tales, who writes, collects and narrates them, and what are they about – these are some of the things you can learn in the “Enchanted Hallways”, or catch a glimpse of out of the corner of your eye. 

A secret corner of the castle holds the “Magic Mirror”, which reveals the 'wondrous inner image' of all who look into it. But only those who listen carefully can get a 'monstrous' picture as a keepsake! 

The “Fireplace” is the “warm” corner of Ivana's House of Fairy Tales where you can listen to (and later attempt to recreate) fairy tales in the “Fairy-Tale Jukebox”. 

In the “Fairy-Tale Library”, visitors can find numerous books of fairy tales and about them. Special attention is given to collecting valuable first editions of fairy tales. Should you need help browsing through the Library, simply ask one of our very own Brownies – the educators of Ivana's House of Fairy Tales. 

The “Chamber of Mystery” is located in the centre of the “Enchanted Castle”. This is a multifunctional space where you can watch three educational animated films or play an interactive game. This is also the stage for theatrical productions, concerts and other events.

Doesn't it sound like a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, or better still, a great project to be part of? One of the wonderful benefits of present day technology is the collaborative possibilities as well as the multimedia and interactive options, providing new options for storytelling experiences and for preserving - and spreading the knowledge of - fairy tales.

Note: The center also has a wonderful project in progress: a database of fairy tales, which you can see the description of below. Clicking on the image will take you to it.

                    

10th Anniversary of Pan's Labyrinth - It's Lasting Appeal - & the Coming (Loaded!) Blu-ray & 'Making Of' Book

Blu-ray Criterion art

On October 11th, 2006, Pan's Labyrinth debuted in Spain. Widely critically acclaimed at the time and now hailed as a modern classic, the movie went on to receive 97 awards, including 3 Oscars. While awards can be impressive, what's even more so, is that the film constantly tops 'best of' lists to this day, including ours.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, and the soon-to-be-released Blu-ray from Criterion, and the 'making of' book, Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth: Inside the Creation of a Modern Fairy Tale, both being released on October 18th (!), we're including some of our newsroom team's favorite alternate posters, some officially commissioned for movie promotion, some fan made. The variety of styles illustrates just how widely appealing this movie is, as each of them represents the movie well.

Aaron Horkey

Jared Wright

But what is it people like about Pan's Labyrinth? Talk to a number of people and you'll likely get many different answers, from how beautiful it is to the layered meanings, many of which can be interpreted differently by different people. Not surprisingly, that's a large part of the appeal.

This article HERE on Moviepilot, made an effort to distill the factors to a small list and, we think, did an admirable job. Here are the main points Moviepilot writer Roselyn listed:

• Appealing to a wide audience
• Our love of fairy tale
• Open to interpretation
• Exceptionally beautiful

We're including a small excerpt of the explanation for each point but recommend you read the whole article yourself):

Stewart Forrest

Appealing to a wide audience - 

Pan’s Labyrinth straddles the boundaries between many genres and masterfully balances each one so that it truly has something to offer everyone. At once a work of gritty historical fiction and a fantastical fairy tale, the movie is both realistic and magical. Yet, these halves do not merely coexist; events in the fantasy world eerily mirror those in the "real" world, providing important clues as to the deeper meanings of the film.

Beniek

Our love of fairy tale - 

 Pan’s Labyrinth is perhaps most importantly a modern reimagining of a fairy tale that is as dark as Grimm’s original tales.Another possible explanation of Pan’s Labyrinth’s popularity is that the film taps into our love of fairy tales. We love fairy tales because they are, in their simplest form, a battle between good and evil... Real life is never that simple, but fairy tales give us hope that things will work out in the end.While some fairy tale elements, such as the rule of three, are left intact,Pan’s Labyrinth also manipulates classical elements to create something new. Rather than a damsel in distress, Ofelia is a heroine. And it is not an evil stepmother, but an evil stepfather who enters her life. As a result, Pan’s Labyrinth is inherently familiar to us, but also innovative in ways that invite us to watch more closely.

Mike Delmundo

Open to interpretation -

Pan’s Labyrinth is completely open for individual interpretation. The movie never provides any concrete answers and you are left to piece together the plot in a way that makes the most sense to you. Morals and lessons are never overtly revealed and how you interpret the more ambiguous parts of the film can create new meanings.Like any great work of film or literature, Pan’s Labyrinth’s strength lies in the fact that it is not constrained to any time or place, but can be interpreted by anyone. Every viewer can bring something new to the discussion and can relate to the movie in their own way.

Edward Julian Moran II

Exceptionally beautiful -

Or perhaps most simply, Pan’s Labyrinth’s popularity has to do with the film’s exceptionally beautiful design. Highly stylized and carefully constructed, there is not a single element out of place. Each scene bursts with details and everything about the design is linked to the central themes of the film.Pan’s Labyrinth creates a world that is vividly real and a plot that is easy to follow in spite of all it’s complexity. Quite simply, Pan’s Labyrinth is a pleasure to watch.

We recommend reading the whole article HERE.

In the meantime, keep a sharp eye out for the coming Blu-ray and the book. Reports are that the Blu-ray is worth every penny and more - not to be missed, and the book is a treasure. Check out the official list of Blu-ray extras below!

• Director's Introduction - this archival video introduction by director-writer-producer Guillermo del Toro was shot in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080i).

• Del Toro and Funke - in this brand new video interview, Guillermo del Toro discusses his interest in fairy tales, the manner in which kids and adults approach and decipher them, the impact they had on his films, some of the key conflicts in Pan's Labyrinth and the world in which its protagonists exist, etc. Also participating is novelist Cornelia Funke (Inkheart). The interviews was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (40 min, 1080p).

• Director's Notebook - presented here is an interactive gallery with Guillermo del Toro's notebook of drawings and sketches for Pan's Labyrinth, with short video inserts featuring comments from the director. The notebook was produced by Javier Soto in 2007. In English, not subtitled. (1080i).
  
  1. Del Toro Intro. (1 min).
  2. Gallery - with an interactive interface.

SAE (Real name unknown)

• Documentaries - the four documentaries were produced by Javier Soto in 2007.
  
  1. The Power of Myth - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the specific time period that is depicted inPan's Labyrinth, some of the symbolism that is channeled through the main story, and its main protagonists and the dilemmas they face. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080i).
  
  2. Pan and the Fairies - in this this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the many unique characters that appear in Pan's Labyrinth as well as the special effects/costumes that were used in the film. Also included in the featurette are clips from archival interviews with some of the special effects artists that contributed to the film. In English and Spanish, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (31 min, 1080i).
  
  3. The Color and the Shape - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses the use of color in Pan's Labyrinthand the film's visual style. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080i).
  
  4. The Melody Echoes the Fairy Tale - in this featurette, Guillermo del Toro discusses his initial interactions with composer Javier Navarrete and the soundtrack he created for Pan's Labyrinth. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080i).

Rhys Cooper

• Doug Jones - in this new video interview, actor Doug Jones, who plays the Faun and Pale Man, discusses his contribution to Pan's Labyrinth and Guillermo del Toro's working methods. Included in the interview is plenty of raw archival footage that shows the preparation work that was needed for his transformations before each shooting session. The interviews was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (26 min, 1080p).

Adam Rabalais

• Ivana Baquero Audion - presented here is archival footage from actress Ivana Baquero's audio for the role of Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth which was shot on April 10, 2005. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (3 min, 1080i).

Jock

• Prequel Comics - presented here four animated comic-style stories with original tales for the unique creatures that are seen in Pan's Labyrinth, which were produced by Javier Soto and illustrated by Jason Shawn Alexander, Guy Davis, and Michael Kaluta in 2007. With sound effects.
  
  1. The Giant Toad. (1 min, 1080i).
  2. The Fairies. ( 1 min, 1080i).
  3. The Faun. (1 min, 1080i).
  4. The Pale Man (2 min, 1080i).

Consider Graphics

• Video Comparisons - presented here are three video pieces that offer before-and-after comparisons that highlight the type of work (from concept work to music) that was done during the pre-prodction process. The three pieces were produced in 2007. 
  
  1. Lullaby. (3 min, 1080i).
  2. The Green Fairy. (2 min, 1080i).
  3. Thumbnails/Storyboards. (1080i).
  
  • Del Toro Intro
  • Ofelia Enters the Labyrinth
  • Ofelia and the Giant Toad
  • Death of the Doctor
  • Ofelia's Death

Daniel Serra

• Trailers and TV Spots - presented here is a large collection of original trailers and TV spots for Pan's Labyrinth.
  
  1. Teaser
  2. Trailer
  3. TV Spot: "Deadly"
  4. TV Spot: "Trap"
  5. TV Spot: "Three Tasks"
  6. TV Spot: "Top Critics"
  7. TV Spot: "Nominations"
  8. TV Spot: "Phenomenon"
  9. TV Spot: "Accolades"

Drew Struzan

Bo Moore

• Commentary - this audio commentary by Guillermo del Toro was recorded in 2007 and initially appeared on New Line Cinema's release of Pan's Labyrinth. The director explains in great detail how the idea for the film emerged, where and how various sequences were shot, the film's unique narrative structure and visual style, etc.
  
  1. An important juxtaposition
  2. References and insects
  3. Camera movement
  4. Stunning single shot
  5. From true accounts
  6. Magical green hues
  7. Frustrating first day
  8. Wipes
  9. Pale Man foreshadowing
  10. Circles and curves
  11. Based on reality
  12. Subtle changes
  13. Noteworthy pattern
  14. Straight out of Goya
  15. The original story
  16. Magical moment
  17. No salaries
  18. Control freak
  19. Hopelessness
  20. Ambiguity of symbols
  21. Willful miscasting
  22. A satisfying scene
  23. "My favorite shot"
  24. Wings of fire
  25. Fairy-tale moment
  26. Immortality
  27. "From the heart"

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson.

Kelly McKernan

• Book - a 100-page illustrated hardcover book featuring an introduction by author Neil Gaiman and essays by critics Michael Atkinson, Mark Kermode, and Maitland McDonagh, as well as production notes and original sketches by Guillermo del Toro and illustrators Carlos Giménez and Raúl Monge. (Note: The book is available only with the Trilogía de Guillermo del Toro box set).

Do we need to mention the box set is now on our wish list?

Guillermo Del Toro Collection - Cronos / The Devil's Backbone / Pan's Labyrinth [Blu-ray]

UK Contest: Win 'The Curse Of Sleeping Beauty' on DVD (& a TV Series on the Way!)

This 2016 re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty is probably most comfortably categorized as horror, so while there are fantastical things to see in this film and more than your average dose of magic, just keep in mind that it's considered "good viewing for Halloween".

We admit we haven't seen this yet and our impression is that it was darker and scarier than Vampire Diaries or Twilight but perhaps this parallel is why this film has had so much publicity.

Over the next 13 days Horror Talk are holding a contest to give away a copy of the upcoming DVD, being released October 24th:

With a bright young cast (including Gregory Peck’s grandson, Ethan), gorgeously sinister design and more than a touch of gothic terror, The Curse of Sleeping Beauty is for anyone who enjoyed Maleficent, The Vampire Diaries or The Twilight Saga. 

Thomas Kaiser (Peck) inherits an ancestral mansion that has been in his family for generations - only to learn that he has also inherited an ancient curse stemming back to the Crusades. Forced into his new role as “protector” - the guardian appointed to keep the evil demons in the house at bay - Thomas must unravel the mystery of the house, while struggling to awaken the beautiful Briar Rose, held captive in a terrifying netherworld seen previously in his dreams.

YOU CAN ENTER THE CONTEST HERE.

While this movie clearly falls under the category of 'off-beat films', it's received a lot of attention this past year, enough to make people realize this take on Sleeping Beauty can't be as easily dismissed as you might think for a genre film.

It also turns out, there's a TV series coming, though it's not clear how much of it will explore metaphors via fairy tales like the movie. The director does have a soft spot for fairy tales it seem, though, so for those who love shows like Penny Dreadful and American Gothic, this one might be one to watch for.

Here are some excerpts from an interview with the director, Pearry Teo, by Fangoria, telling us more about the movie, his fairy tale explorations and the upcoming TV series:

Filmmaker Pearry Teo, whose credits include DRACULA: THE DARK PRINCE and THE EVIL WITHIN, has created a visually stunning reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale with THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY. 

...Scripted by Teo and Josh Nadler from the comic book by Everette Hartsoe, it’s set in a sinister world where neither the conscious nor the unconscious can be trusted, blending Gothic and cultural legends to depict the ancient struggle between good and evil. 

FANG: THE CURSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTY constantly toys with reality and the subconscious dream realm. In creating this world, did any scenes stem from your own dreams or nightmares?
TEO: It would be very selfish to say that, because it really came from the dreams of everybody who worked with me. From my director of photography Christopher C, Pearson to my production designer Alessandro Marvelli, we all put a little bit of our dreams and nightmares into it. There were definitely elements I’ve experienced myself that I worked with my team to bring to life, like sleep paralysis and things like that, but the dreamscapes in this movie were definitely a collaborative effort. 

FANG: Is there a sequel or further continuation of the story in the works?
TEO: XLrator has been very supportive of this film, and about wanting to see the audience’s reaction before we consider a follow-up. It was a very risky film, because it’s not so much of an in-your-face horror movie; we were trying out new things, blending genres that most people wouldn’t think go together. To do something horrific with a story that was popularized by Disney was a very chancy move for us, but I can definitely tell you there will be a TV series. We already have an idea of what those details will be. 

FANG: Can you tell us anything about that?
TEO: Yes. The idea is that in a TV series, I can explore the fact that sleep is such an intriguing subject—it’s borderline spiritual. It’s where people experience their own subconscious, so we want to explore more of the cerebral realm and how it manifests the darker subconscious. If we were to do a series, without giving anything away, each episode would explore different dream worlds and tap into different dream cultures. Watching SLEEPING BEAUTY, you can see that we tapped into the Arabic realm with the djinn and all that stuff, so what’s going to happen when we start expanding further? Every culture has their own nightmares, so it’ll be very interesting to try and blend them all. We all have different stories to tell about dreams, and I don’t think that has been explored very much. 

FANG: Would you consider reimagining other classic fairy tales and giving them a genre makeover?
TEO: Yes, I actually have a book that is being republished called BEDLAM STORIES, written by Christine Converse from a story I created. It’s set in an asylum in the 1920s, and it’s about two little girls who have wild fantasies and delusions—it’s Alice and Dorothy. Putting those characters in that setting was really fun. SLEEPING BEAUTY is more like PAN’S LABYRINTH and SILENT HILL, but this one is more HELLRAISER. It’s definitely Clive Barker kind of stuff.

You can read the rest of the interview, with more behind-the-scenes information (and possibly some scare-spoilers) HERE.

And in case you haven't yet seen the trailer, here it is:

Good luck to our readers!

Live Action 'Aladdin' Looks to Guy Ritchie To Direct

Disney unused poster concept art by John Alvin

It's not official yet, but it's official enough that people know the deal is legitimately being worked out: Guy Ritchie, director of the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. is in negotiations to direct the Disney live action version of Aladdin, titled Genie.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Dan Lin, who was a producer on the Holmes movies for Warner Bros., is producing what Disney touts will be an ambitious and non-traditional take on Aladdin via his Lin Pictures banner.  

John August wrote the script for the live-action version, which sources say will keep many of the musical elements of the original. 

Still to be determined is the approach to the Genie, which to this day remains closely associated to Williams' singular and defining performance. 

Also, part of the non-traditional aspect of the project is the studio's intent to make it non-linear, a move right out of the Ritchie playbook.

Ritchie is also known for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which use a similar non-linear approach to narrative, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Ritchie's current project is slightly more in the vein of directing a fantasy. He's in post production on Warner's King Arthur.