Here is the reason why Li Shang isn’t in the live action Mulan remake.
The original 1998 animated movie had Li Shang as the main love interest for Mulan – as well as her commander in the army.
And Disney fans were left disappointed when it was revealed that Li Shang wouldn’t be in the remake of the animated classic, which is due to hit cinemas in March.
Since the movie was released in 1998, many fans claimed that Shang is bisexual as he seems to be attracted to Mulan when she’s disguised as a male soldier, as well as when her identity is revealed.
Initially, there were plenty of theories about why Shang may not have been included in the film – including that it may have to do something with his sexuality. However, it turns out that he will be in the movie…sort of. Just not quite in the way that fans expected.
Producer Jason Reed told Collider that they split the character of Li Shang into two different characters.
“One became Commander Tung (Donnie Yen) who serves as her surrogate father and mentor in the course of the movie. The other is Honghui (Yoson An) who is [Mulan’s] equal in the squad,” he said.
“I think particularly in the time of the #MeToo movement, having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn’t think it was appropriate.”
Mulan hits cinemas in Ireland on March 27.
