The iconic warrior princess Mulan has been portrayed in live action films twice now, but the first one, which was released in 2009 and features a nearly entirely Chinese cast, stars Zhao Wei as the protagonist. Mulan: Rise of a Warrior has been praised as the more realistic version of the story, and director Jingle Ma said Zhao was “perfect for [her] role” because she possesses all of the traits he imagined for his film.
Zhao has starred in many Chinese blockbuster films, including Shaolin Soccer, Red Cliff, and The Founding of a Republic, and her more traditional portrayal of Mulan is certainly worth checking out if you’re a fan of this beloved warrior woman.