It has been three long years since Jet Li last appeared in an American film. But this changed when the 55-year-old Chinese actor accepted the role of the Emperor of China in the live-action adaptation of Disney's "Mulan."
In a recent interview with Chinese talk-show host Chen Luyu (via Asia One), Jet Li admitted he initially turned down a role in the live-action adaptation of the popular 1998 animated film due to the script and pay. Suddenly, his 15-year-old daughter, Jada Li, bluntly asked him whether he was short of money.
When Jet Li replied no, his daughter said: "When a company like Disney wants to make a movie about Chinese culture, why don't you take part in it?" It was that moment when his daughter asked him for the first-ever time to star in a film for her - a request seconded by her elder sister, Jane Li, 18.
View this post on InstagramI recently shared some thoughts on Wushu and Kung Fu in @jetli_com. Read more at jetli.com #jetli #jetlicom A post shared by Jet Li (@jetli) on Sep 8, 2017 at 6:15am PDT
It was in April when news broke that Jet Li will be joining the cast of "Mulan." In the upcoming live-action adaptation, the actor plays the Emperor of China who orders the mobilization of troops via the conscription of one male from each household to fight Bori Khan's army.
Jet Li joins previously announced stars Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Bori Khan, Yoson An as Chen Honghui, Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang, Gong Li as Xian Lang, Tzi Ma as Hua Zhou, Jimmy Wong as Ling, Doua Moua as Po, Chen Tang as Yao, Utkarsh Ambudkar as Skath, Chum Ehelepola as Ramtish and Xana Tang as Hua Xiu. Actress Rosalind Chao, Cheng Pei-pei, and Nelson Lee will also appear in undisclosed roles.
The story of "Mulan" heavily revolve around the titular heroine, Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei), who disguises herself as a man in order to spare her elderly father (Tzi Ma) from having to join the military. It is being directed by Niki Caro ('Whale Rider' and 'The Zookeeper's Wife') with the screenplay by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver. It is set to open in theaters on March 27, 2020.
Aside from starring in the live-action adaptation of "Mulan," Jet Li is also busy with his own non-profit foundation called The One Foundation. The said foundation focuses on disaster relief, children's welfare, training of public welfare professionals, and funding grassroots charities.
