Jan de Bont may not have directed a film since 2003’s Lara Croft: The Cradle Of Life , but he’s looking to get back into the chair with another kick-ass female fighter.
Having taken a break from directing duties, the Netherlands-hailing maestro has signed on to helm a live-action version of Mulan .
The Chinese folk tale was previously adapted into an Oscar-nominated Disney animated movie in 1998, and followed a Chinese maiden who pretends to be a man so that she can fight the invading Huns.
Zhang Ziyi has been cast in the English-language film – and considering her past credits include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero , we’re sure she’s prepared for the kind of scale and energy such a production will involve.
Other characters in this new version will include a sword-fighting 15-year-old brother for Mulan, as well as a female mystic who aids the main villain.
Could this be de Bont’s first credible film, well, ever? He’s certainly got an eye for action, but the thing that’s always pulled him up short is plotting. Here’s hoping he’s able to deliver the epic he’s obviously hoping to.
