Alex Graves has been named as the director of Sony’s forthcoming Mulan adaptation, putting an end to rumours that Sony were looking to employ an Asian director.
Debate over the “whitewashing” of Asian stories and white actors in “yellowface” has intensified in recent months, most notably around the introduction of a fictional white character into a Bruce Lee biopic and the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Major Kusanagi in the Hollywood adaptation of classic Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell.
The choice of Graves, best known for his work on Game of Thrones and The West Wing, has incensed some fans who believed Sony should choose an Asian director.
Hiring a white dude [GOT] director to direct a Mulan film seems like a really odd fit & missed opportunity
— Sam McCosh (@Sam_McCosh) October 17, 2016
why does mulan have a white director? it's a story about women breaking barriers, but that's not reflected at all in the studio's decisions¿
— syirah (@heckisthis) October 18, 2016
Sony spent the bare minimum amount of time looking for an Asian filmmaker, huh? couldn't even hire a woman. https://t.co/lmFWjzzLx5
— Britt Hayes, Esq. (@MissBrittHayes) October 17, 2016
Anger about under-representation of Asians and other ethnic minorities has been growing for some time. According to recent research conducted by the University of California, of 800 top performing films between 2007 and 2015 only 25 had an Asian director, only one of whom was female. The same study found that only 3.9% of characters were Asian.
The story of Hua Mulan, a female warrior in ancient China who joined the army in place of her ailing father, has been adapted many times in China, and most famously in a Disney animation.
According to Deadline, Sony’s film – which is a Chinese co-production – will have a Chinese lead and is being targeted at the international marketplace.
Disney is also adapting a version of the Mulan story based on their 1998 animation. No director has been announced yet, but Ang Lee has reportedly turned down an offer. More than 100,000 people signed a pre-emptive petition against the “whitewashing” of that film.
Disney’s remake is expected to hit cinemas in November 2017, while Sony’s is not expected until 2018.
