Jan De Bont To Direct Zhang Ziyi in “Mulan”
Director Jan De Bont has been hired to direct the upcoming independent film “Mulan” starring Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. The English language co-production project begins filming later this fall in Shanghai.
“Mulan” tells the ancient Chinese story of a young female named Hua Mulan who joins an all male army. The 6th century Chinese tale is considered a Chinese version of the Joan of Arc tale and was popularized by Disney’s 1998 animated feature film also entitled “Mulan.”
De Bont is the director behind such hit films as “Speed,” “Twister,” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” Ziyi is considered China’s biggest actress and while many of her films have been mega hits in China, only a few have managed success beyond its borders. Among those that did are “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “2046,” and “Hero.”
