‘Mulan’ Trailer Makes Big Changes; Fans React To Missing Mushu, No Singing

Don’t expect Mulan to sing about her reflection in next year’s live-action remake. Disney released a trailer Sunday that featured no musical numbers nor Mushu, the talking dragon.

“Mulan” looks like a much more mature film this time around. The story remains the same, though. Rather than getting married, Mulan takes her father’s place in the army. Watch the trailer:

However, the animated version included hit songs like “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” and “Reflection,” while the trailer doesn’t include any of the songs. In 2017, director Niki Caro confirmed that she wasn’t planning to make a musical. Also missing is Mushu, the hilarious dragon companion voiced by Eddie Murphy in the original.

Those changes didn’t sit well with some Mulan fans. They took to Twitter to share their disappointment about the lack of Mushu and singing.

Even Kevin Smith (“Clerks”) noted that he was excited, but he missed Mushu.

Others seem happy about the changes made for the live-action “Mulan” remake. Many believe, based on the trailer, that the remake will be much closer to the original poem. That is a departure from many recent Disney remakes, which have largely stayed very close to the animated features.

It will be a while before fans can judge the film in its entirety. “Mulan” won’t hit theaters until March 27, 2020.

In addition to the trailer, Disney also released a full synopsis for the movie:

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.'