Disney casts Chinese actor as new Mulan

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Liu YifeiImage source, Getty Images
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Liu Yifei will play Mulan in the new Disney film

Disney has cast Chinese actress Liu Yifei as the lead character in the upcoming live action remake of Mulan.

The film Mulan tells the story of Chinese heroine Hua Mulan, and thousands signed an online petition saying an Asian actress should be cast as the lead.

The petition followed a number of films set in China and Japan, but with white, western actors playing the lead.

Liu Yifei is a well-known actress, model and singer in China. Her nickname is "Fairy Sister" because of her delicate looks.

Disney also announced that the film would be based on both the original legend and the Disney animated film.

The Mulan story tells the story of the warrior Hua Mulan who disguises herself as a man to fight in the army to spare her weak father from having to fight.