The Mulan live action film is already generating a lot of buzz for the potential of whitewashed casting. We count down the top 10 reasons why the cast of Mulan should be Asian. Starting with….
1. Because she’s Asian
It’s sort of obvious, but shouldn’t an Asian actress/actor play the part of an Asian character? Still, time and time again, the film industry has opted to erase these minority characters in favor of a more white-washed counterpart. While they (barely) got away with it in the past, a character like Mulan shouldn’t be butchered by a non-Asian actress attempting accents and squinting her eyes the entire film. Honestly, just get someone who has these skills naturally.
2. Because we don’t want a repeat of The Last Airbender
No comment.
3. Or Dragon Ball Z
That’s right, Mushu. Nope.
4. It will make the experience more authentic
Think about it: a non-Asian actress/actor would stick out from the rest like…well, like three soldiers in women’s clothing.
5. There are great Asian actresses just itching to take the part
Thanks to Jamie Chung’s portrayal of Mulan in Once Upon a Time, fans are taking a liking to having an Asian Mulan. And they’ve elected their favorite actresses they believe are up to the task. We’re looking at you Ming-Na Wen, Rinko Kikuchi and Constance Wu.
6. And actors
Remember your childhood crush on General Shang? Who doesn’t? Don’t you want an Asian actor to finally bring him to life?
7. And lots of them are trained in some sort of martial arts
Just take a look at Korean actor and martial arts enthusiast Lee Byung-Hun.
8. It’s what the masses want
More than 35,000 people have already signed a petition to cast an Asian actress in the lead role.
9. It’s time to stand behind the statement that every race is beautiful.
What better way to do that than to approve an Asian Mulan live action film? If Disney was brave enough to dabble in an animation full of Asian culture, let it take the next step and endorse the many Asians in the film industry who get stuck playing in cheap horror films where, honestly, the minorities always die first.
10. And finally, Mulan herself said it best:
Hopefully Disney gets the message. Not all of the characters have to be Asian, but characters that children have grown up with should live up to their expectations. Just as a live-action Tania shouldn’t be a slightly tanned actress, Mulan shouldn’t be a white woman in a wig.
