Production on Disney’s “Mulan,” a live-action adaptation of the studio’s 1998 animated feature, has begun.
The film will shoot on locations in New Zealand and China and will open in U.S. theaters on March 27, 2020.
Liu Yifei (“The Forbidden Kingdom,” “Once Upon a Time”) was cast as Hua Mulan following a year-long global casting search. Joining her in the film are: Donnie Yen (“Star Wars: Rogue One”); Jason Scott Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”); Yoson An (“The Meg”); Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Pitch Perfect”); Ron Yuan (“Marco Polo”); Tzi Ma (“Arrival”); Rosalind Chao (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”); Cheng Pei-Pei (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”); Nelson Lee; Chum Ehelepola; with Gong Li (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Raise the Red Lantern”) and Jet Li (“Shaolin Temple,” “Lethal Weapon 4”).
“Mulan” is the epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honored warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army, she steps in to take the place of her ailing father as Hua Jun, becoming one of China’s greatest warriors ever.
“Mulan” is directed by Niki Caro (“Whale Rider,” “McFarland USA”) from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (“Jurassic World,” “In the Heart of the Sea”) and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.” The producers are Jason T. Reed (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”), Chris Bender (“A History of Violence”) and Jake Weiner (“Criminal”) with Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King“), Bill Kong (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Monster Hunt”) and Tim Coddington (“Crazy Rich Asians”) serving as executive producers.
Disney’s animated feature, which was released in 1998, starred Ming-Na Wen, Miguel Ferrer and Eddie Murphy and was nominated for an Oscar® and two Golden Globe® Awards.
The story of the legendary warrior is one of China’s most popular folktales, and is still a part of the curriculum in Chinese schools today.
Two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain stars in THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE in the title role of Antonina Żabińska, a real-life working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during WWII. Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) directs the movie from a screenplay by Angela Workman, adapted from Diane Ackerman’s nonfiction book of the same name which was based on Antonina’s diaries.
The time is 1939. The place is Poland, homeland of Antonina (portrayed by Ms. Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh, of The Broken Circle Breakdown). Devoted to each other, the couple thrive as personal and professional partners; the Warsaw Zoo flourishes under Jan’s stewardship and Antonina’s care. With reserves of energy, Antonina rises every day to tend to both her family and their menagerie, as the gates to the majestic zoo open in welcome…
…until the entrance is slammed shut and the zoo is crippled in an attack as the entire country is invaded by the Germans. Stunned, the couple is forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Golden Globe Award nominee Daniel Brühl of Captain America: Civil War). Heck envisions a new, selective breeding program for the zoo.
Antonina and Jan fight back on their own terms, and covertly begin working with the Resistance – realizing that their zoo’s abandoned animal cages and underground tunnels, originally designed to safeguard animal life, can now secretly safeguard human life. As the couple puts into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, Antonina places herself and even her children at great risk.
In Theaters March 31.
WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE on March 28th at 7PM in the St. Louis area.
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Actor Daniel Brühl will soon be seen in the J.J. Abrams-produced 2017 Cloverfield movie, alongside Elizabeth Debicki, Chris O’Dowd, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ziyi Zhang, and David Oyelowo for director Julius Onah; and in the untitled feature thriller based on the true story of the 1976 Entebbe plane hijacking, in which he stars with Rosamund Pike for director José Padilha, also for Focus Features release.
He recently was part of the Marvel Universe – what was the name of that film?
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Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images, violence, brief sexuality, nudity and smoking.
Coming to theaters is one of 2017’s highly anticipated films, THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE.
The real-life story of one working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during World War II. In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabińska (portrayed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are stunned – and forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl of “Captain America: Civil War”). To fight back on their own terms, Antonina and Jan covertly begin working with the Resistance – and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.
The film is directed by Niki Caro (“North Country,” “Whale Rider,” “McFarland, USA”) and written by Angela Workman (“War Bride”), based on the nonfiction book by Diane Ackerman.
Focus Features will release THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE on March 31, 2017.
Production has begun in the Czech Republic on THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE, adapted from Diane Ackerman’s nonfiction book of the same name which was based on the diaries of Antonina Żabiński. Focus Features will release the film domestically; Universal Pictures International has distribution rights to the film in the U.K., France, Germany, Scandinavia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain stars in the title role, as Antonina Żabiński. THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE director Niki Caro’s previous films include Whale Rider and North Country.
THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE dramatizes a real-life story of heroism. The time is 1939. The place is Poland, homeland of Antonina Żabiński (portrayed by Ms. Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh, a European Film Award nominee for the Academy Award-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown). The Warsaw Zoo flourishes under Jan’s stewardship and Antonina’s care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Golden Globe Award nominee Daniel Brühl of the upcoming Captain America: Civil War). The Żabińskis covertly begin working with the Resistance – and put into action plans to save the lives of hundreds from what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and her children at great risk.
The cast of THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE also includes Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones); Iddo Goldberg (Defiance, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler); Goran Kostic (In the Land of Blood and Honey); and Israeli actresses Shira Haas, who stars in Natalie Portman’s feature directorial debut A Tale of Love and Darkness, and Efrat Dor, acclaimed for her work in the television series Achat Efes Efes, Asfur, and Mermaids.
The screenplay adaptation is by Angela Workman (War Bride). The movie is being produced by Jeff Abberley, through his Scion Films; Kim Zubick and Diane Levin, who initiated the project; and Electric City Entertainment’s Jamie Patricof.
Academy Award nominee Suzie Davies (Mr. Turner) is the production designer on THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE; Andrij Parekh (Show Me a Hero) is the director of photography; and Bina Daigeler (Only Lovers Left Alive) is the film’s costume designer.
From Disney, MCFARLAND USA is the true story of Jim White (played by Kevin Costner), a cross country coach in a small California town who transforms a team of disadvantaged high school athletes into championship contenders. When Jim Batts reviwed MCFARLAND USA here at We Are Movie Geeks, he wrote “(director) Niki Caro expertly captures the look of this little burg that may seem insignificant, but his home to fiercely protective and supportive neighbors. She also captures the dedication of these runners that’s reminiscent of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. There’s the heat, the exhaustion, even the monotony. And even though they’re part of a team, there’s that solitary testing of one’s abilities. Unfortunately the screenplay doesn’t avoid the culture clash clichés with the uptight wasps lightening up by being near the colorful earthy ethnics. And there’s the familiar riff on the sports underdogs, the ole’ slobs versus snobs set-up with the preppy rich competitors almost sneering at the noble Cougars. Well, the movie’s got its heart in the right place and it’s nice to see a somewhat upbeat true-story tale. So, if you’re a fan of HOOSIER-type, come from behind stories, then you’ll want to lace up your running shoes and join the team for a run around the dusty streets of MCFARLAND USA.” (read all of Jim’s review HERE).
MCFARLAND USA checks all the underdog sports movie cliche boxes, but still manages to be one of the better movies of the year, thanks to a strong leading performance from Kevin Costner and an inspiring story of a fish out of water determined to make a difference.
MCFARLAND USA is released on Blu-ray this week from Disney and We Are Movie Geeks has had a peek.
MCFARLAND USA is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1. The high definition presentation here is eye-popping. Director Niki Caro and cinematographer Terry Stacey capture the sun-dappled climate, as well as the amber drenched ambience of the poverty-stricken areas of California perfectly. Fine detail and flesh tones are exceptional throughout this presentation – a crisp and extremely appealing transfer.
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is similarly impressive. Dialogue is crystal clear, with plenty of directional chatter, and is layered appropriately with effects and music.
The MCFARLAND USA Blu-ray includes a handful of extras:
McFarland Reflections (HD, 9 min.) – A standard featurette containing interviews with the cast, filmmakers, and the real life folks the film is based on.
“Juntos” Music Video (HD, 3 min.)
Inspiring McFarland (HD, 2 min.) – An brief interview with the filmmakers and some of the cast summing up the film’s story.
Deleted & Extended Scenes (HD, 8 min.) – A collection of scenes that mostly serve to round out Maria Bello’s character, and a handful of the cross-country runners.
There was a time no too long away that the Disney company was only known for animation. But after enormous success in that arena, Uncle Walt decided he needed to branch out into live action. After dipping his toe in the water with “true-life” nature shorts, he jumped all in with several features produced and filmed in Europe. Then he went all out with 1954’s smash 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. Now, as with his animated features, these films usually played to family audiences. Walt had something of a studio staple of stars with the likes of Fred MacMurray, Hayley Mills, and Kurt Russell , He even had the top grossing film of 1968, THE LOVE BUG. Really. After Walt passed on, the new studio heads in the 1980’s decided to branch out into more adult subject matter for new features. But these would not go out under the Disney name and so came the sub-studio imprints like Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures. The animated features and family friendly live-action fantasies would still be released through Walt Disney Pictures. In the last dozen or so years another genre has joined those two as a staple of the company: based on true events inspirational sports stories. Going back to 2002’s THE ROOKIE to MIRACLE and all the way up to last year’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM. Now this weekend sees the release of MCFARLAND, USA, which highlights a sport not often portrayed in films (but did win a Best Picture Oscar in 1981, tell you later!). Seems the “mouse house” has a pretty good-sized cinema recreational complex at the multiplex.
Once upon a time, the mid 1980’s to be exact, a high school football coach named Jim White (Kevin Costner) lost his temper with the team’s arrogant quarterback during the half-time pep talk. The result: Jim, wife Cheryl (Maria Bello), and their two young daughters, teenager Julie (Morgan Saylor) and pre-teen Jamie (Elsie Fisher) loaded up the family vehicle and headed to McFarland, CA, a sleepy, dusty little burg mainly populated by folks who left Mexico for a better life in the ole’ USA. Jim’s got to make this new job at the local high school work since he’s got no other prospects. Well, the head coach of the fightin’ football Cougars is a dimbulb and soon Jim is off the team. He’s still got his teaching gig, but needs to be in the sports department. One morning, driving in to work, he spots some of his students running along the side of the road, on their way to school. Most of the families pick crops at the big local farms. The kids wake up extra early and help their folks, and since most don’t own cars they must dash from their to class. Jim’s impressed with their speed and endurance and so tells his boss, the principal, that he will start a cross-country team. Jim faces an uphill battle recruiting students and winning over their parents, who see it as a waste of time that keeps the boys away from the fields, and the whole community. Although their cultures clash, Jim finally gets his team ready to compete, but do these hard-scrabble kids have what it takes to triumph over the big-monied schools and privileged runners?
Costner is his usual good, earnest hero persona, but in the film’s opening scenes we get to see some very welcome cracks in his gleaming gold armor. There’s an anger and fire in that locker room half-time altercation that promises some variance on the old sports flick formulas. Although some of his fury has been tempered by the time of his new job it flares again on the football field. Costner as White digs his heels in, but makes no traction against the clueless coach in charge. We also get his concerned father in the early domestic scenes. He must mask his disappointment in front of his kids as the unpack in the house that seems to be such a down grade from suburbia. But he’s a good dad, although he does mess up, particularly with his teenager who clings to him while also pushing him away. And he’s a tough, but understanding coach. He’s got to bark at the boys, but he tries to understand them, which leads to some light comic moments as the “goofy gringo” joins them to pick the fields (exhausting) or attends a family feast (they keep filling his plate!). Costner works best when he’s one of the few adults that gives them hope for a better, brighter future.
Bello makes a terrific partner to Costner as she often must serve as his coach, spurring him to do better, especially with the kids. She too must hide her initial despair, but eventually she warms to her neighbors, often stunned by their warmth, and embraces this mysterious (to her) culture. Saylor is engaging as a typical confused teen and Fisher is very sweet as she devours all the wonders of her new surroundings. Diana Maria Riva gives a lovely comic performance as the boisterous matriarch of the huge Diaz household. All the young actors who make up the running Cougars are solid despite the often stock characters (one’s a ladies’ man, one loves to eat, etc.) with Carlos Pratt standing out as the hunky speedster with the troubled home who catches the eye of Julie.
Niki Caro (NORTH COUNTRY) expertly captures the look of this little burg that may seem insignificant, but his home to fiercely protective and supportive neighbors. She also captures the dedication of these runners that’s reminiscent of CHARIOTS OF FIRE (told you I’d mention it later). There’s the heat, the exhaustion, even the monotony. And even though they’re part of a team, there’s that solitary testing of one’s abilities. Unfortunately the screenplay doesn’t avoid the culture clash clichés with the uptight wasps lightening up by being near the colorful earthy ethnics. And there’s the familiar riff on the sports underdogs, the ole’ slobs versus snobs set-up with the preppy rich competitors almost sneering at the noble Cougars. Well, the movie’s got its heart in the right place and it’s nice to see a somewhat upbeat true-story tale. So, if you’re a fan of HOOSIER-type, come from behind stories, then you’ll want to lace up your running shoes and join the team for a run around the dusty streets of MCFARLAND, USA.
Disney has revealed the first poster for MCFARLAND USA.
The film stars Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda, Michael Aguero, Sergio Avelar, Hector Duran, Rafael Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Carlos Pratts, Ramiro Rodriguez, Danny Mora, Valente Rodriguez, Vanessa Martinez and Chris Ellis.
Inspired by the 1987 true story, MCFARLAND, USA follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.
With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.
The narrative and themes of MCFARLAND USA appealed to Costner, who says, “It’s a heartfelt story but it’s not a soft one. It definitely falls into the canon of Disney family films but among the elements that resonated with me was that it is a true story. You’re thrilled that this could actually happen in this small, American town. Jim White represents the difference an individual can make in a community like McFarland.”
Directed by Niki Caro (WHALE RIDER), MCFARLAND, USA will be in theaters on February 20, 2015.
