Disney is searching for a Chinese actress to play the title role in its upcoming live-action version of "Mulan."
The film and its animated counterpart are based on a Chinese legend, so producers want to cast a Chinese actress. But that hasn't stopped social media users from voicing their frustration over Disney possibly casting a white actress instead.
Before Disney's casting announcement, almost 105,000 people had signed a petition asking the movie studio to not "whitewash" the film.
Many movie studios have hired white actors to play Asian roles, including Matt Damon's role in "The Great Wall," a historical movie about the Great Wall of China.
Disney cast many Asian actors and actresses to voice roles in the 1998 animated "Mulan" movie.
"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." star Ming-Na Wen voiced Mulan, while B.D. Wong, probably best known for his stint on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," voiced Li Shang.
One of the few non-Asian actors in the animated version of "Mulan" was Eddie Murphy, who voiced Mushu the red dragon.
Disney hasn't released any other information about casting choices. The live-action movie is set to hit theaters in November 2018.
Cox Media Group
