What Is Disney+ Premier Access? ‘Mulan’ Comes At Extra Cost Until December

“Mulan” is finally going to be available to watch at home, but it doesn’t just come with the average Disney+ subscription. Viewers will have to pay an additional price on top of their monthly subscription fee—at least until December.

Since the global health crisis forced some studios to release movies on demand rather than in theaters, those releases have largely cost about $20 per rental. The live-action “Mulan” movie, originally set for theatrical release in March, will be more expensive at $29.99.

Disney+ Premier Access will give viewers the chance to watch “Mulan” as many times as they’d like. The offer starts Friday, Sept. 4, but anyone can pay to get “Mulan” added to their Disney+ account until Nov. 2. Those who receive access will be able to watch “Mulan” whenever they want, as long as they have an active Disney+ subscription.

However, those who don’t want to pay extra for the Disney movie can wait until December. Disney+ will release “Mulan” to all subscribers at no additional cost on Dec. 4.

“Mulan,” based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan,” stars Yifei Liu as Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of a warrior. The Emperor of China orders one man per family to serve in the Imperial Army, so Mulan poses as a man, Hua Jun, to take the place of her ailing father.

Niki Caro directs the film, and the screenplay was written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver as well as Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin.

Many of Disney’s live-action adaptations have been very close to the animated film, but this 2020 update looks to be very different from the 1998 movie. There will be no singing nor will Mushu the Dragon appear.

“The original ‘Ballad of Mulan’ was written centuries ago and has been popular ever since,” producer Jason Reed said in press materials. “The animated movie brought it to Western audiences. Now we’re hoping to take elements from the original ballad and the beloved Disney animation and create something that is new and exciting, while honoring the essential elements of this inspiring story. We focused on how someone can embrace bravery, loyalty and duty while still being true to oneself.”

"Mulan" releases on Disney+ Premier Access on Sept. 4.