This official trailer for Mulan immediately brings to mind such films as Hero & Once Upon a Time in China. Which is really good company to have in my eyes. I was never a big fan of the original animated Mulan. It just didn’t deliver on the action I felt it could have to round it out all together. This looks like it takes that story, tweaks it a little, but mainly adds all that bad ass martial arts action I was looking for in its predecessor. The witch aspect add a level of mysticism reminiscent of what you’d find in some of my favorite Wu Tang films. I’ve been really pumped for this ever since I heard this classic martial arts epic style was being used, & now that I see a small hint of what’s to come, I’m even more excited. As if you don’t know the basics already here’s the synopsis that came with the trailer, “When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. “Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.”” an amazing cast, with a director who is staying very true to the original poem. Great 1st trailer her though. Really gets me anticipating March 2020. Which honestly, is way closer than it seems. What do y’all think though? Does this do it for you? Are you still on the fence? What are your feelings on this versus the original animated film? Put it in the comments, like, & share.
Featurette For "Hakuna Matata" Remake
Today is the day I finally get to see the new more live action, yet still animated Lion King. Beforehand Disney has dropped this video though. It's Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, & Billy Eichner talking about reimagining Hakuna Matata. First off, I love these guys. Haven't seeing the film yet, I love these guys in these roles. I am not however, loving this version of the song though. This video's fun, & I've only heard the song two or three times so far. So, maybe it could grow on me. That said, the original never had to. Curious to see how context affects it. Don't know how I'm feeling goin’ in. It's got some negative feedback. Let y'all know tomorrow with my first thoughts review on YouTube. Until then has anyone else heard this song yet? If so, put your thoughts of it in the comments. Just tryin’ to get a consensus here.
More “Little Mermaid” Casting Fun.. Harry Styles Looked At For Eric
The internet, Twitter in particular, has been on fire as of late between storming Area 51 & #NotMyLittleMermaid. We have more fuel to the fire, so to speak, on the latter of those two now with Harry Styles in early talks to play Prince Eric. This comes from Collider, & displays a pattern in the seeking of the two main stars. They're definitely putting a focus on singing talent. Those that haven’t heard of Harry Styles, the One Direction singer made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. Of which I haven't seen yet. Leaving with no real ground to make a decision whether I think this is a good fit or not. He looks the Disney Prince part, & can sing. So until otherwise, I've gotta trust ‘em. Feelin’ that way with all these casting developments so far. I don’t really see any major problems. Except for the very publicity stunt feeling Ariel casting. Which is my only concern there. I think Halle Bailey will be great. I hope they keep the look. I saw a drawing of Halle with the straight red hair, purple shell top, & green tail, & it looked absolutely amazing. So, my only concern with her choice is the publicity backlash, & whether it will help or hurt in the long run. I’m even cool with internet sponsor of Terry Crews for Titon. Especially if they keep the blonde hair & beard. That would look epic. While that’s just a fan sponsor the other actual choices really work for me. With McCarthy in talks for Ursula, & Jacob Tremblay & Akwafina nearing deals for Flounder & Scuttle? Not only are the reactions to these decisions hilarious, there actually carving out a music heavy cast that might actually really surprise us. What do y’all think about this potential addition? Styles for Eric? Or no? Put it in the comments, like, & share.
Casting For Live Action “Little Mermaid”
Ariel has been announced for Disney's live-action Little Mermaid remake. Halle Bailey, a singer/actress I'm not so sure I'm too familiar with. She had a song in A Wrinkle in Time. That would probably be familiar. Other than that? Nothing. Zero way to form an opinion going in as of right now on my end. Sometimes that works out for the best though. I can at least say that. I got all this from THR. Which had also mentioned Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, & Melissa McCarthy being in early talks to join the Rob Marshall (“Mary Poppins Returns”) directed adaptation. McCarthy being up for Ursula if all goes through. Who I think i’d actually like in that role. I say actually because I haven't really liked any of the films she’s led. For some reason, I think a villain turn would really work for her though. Definitely some left field casting choices. That totally paid off for Aladdin though. If they can keep this fresh face thing up that’d be awesome to me. Makes it even easier to separate the actress or actor form the whole thing. What's y’alls thoughts though? Put ‘em in the comments, like, & share.
New Featurette For Upcoming “Lion King”
Yesterday, we got this featurette for the upcoming livish-action Lion King, & I feel like I'm the only person who's not thoroughly pumped for this. It visually looks great. Now that we've seen the talking more I can say it's better, we're still not t o the point where it won't take some getting used to. In the snippet of the duet Beyonce totally overpowers Glover singing wise, which never works. Other than that though, I should be all about this movie. I’ve been more excited for way less. Not that I don’t want to see it or anything, I just feel like I’m not as pumped for this as a lot of others. If they do pull this off though, it opens the door for “live-action” animation on a whole new level. There's also, in Favreau we trust. I'm still going in thinking this thing is gonna blow me away. The CG, visual perfection on display can't do that alone. Leaves me wondering what will be new? All these remakes usually have something new to them. I’m thinking that’s where my excitement level's. I can’t seem to think of any big changes we can get to build on this story from the original. July 19th is right around the corner. So, we'll see soon. Until then, I'm still waiting for the thing that gets me to that higher level of excitement going in. What about y'all? Is there anybody that’s also excited, but feels like their level of which should be higher? Put it in the comments, like, & share.
Couple More TV Spots For "Aladdin" Deliver Some New
So, up until this point the Aladdin looks have been a new look to familiar material, much like Lion King has. These new spots deliver us some of the new material to flesh out the story form its animated counterpart. Along with some great lines of dialogue. Such as, "If you don't have anything, you have to act like you own everything." Love this line. It comes in a new spon on the tale where AL apparently breaks into the castle to see Jasmine. To me, a great addition that dosen't change the essence of the original at all. It just builds that much more on it. I'm also starting to feel a little the subtle "I'll say anything yo get what I want" evilness from Jafar. Not on the apparently evil on first glance from the original, but I am starting to see where we could get there. Not to mention some of the visuals in these are amazing. Like the giant parrot, & our first look at evil genie Jafar. Loving the top knot callout as well. Will Smith might just really pull this one off gloriously. Going into my favorite line of the second spot, "The whole song was the instructions!" line after Aladdin asked how it all works. May 24th is definitely a top spot on my calendar now. That said, we're all over the place in what they've shown now. I could almost put together a smal coherent film. Granted we already know the story, as it's a remake. I just don't want them to give away too much when it comes to new content. There still has to be some surprises left. Honestly, if you're not in by now, they've shown you enough, you're not gonna be. So, are you in or not? Put it in the comments, like, & share.