Ever since Disney announced plans to develop a live-action version of their hit animated film Mulan, possible casting choices have sparked discussions among fans both in China and abroad.
Many fans are concerned the studio will give into a history of "whitewashing" when casting roles for its live-action adaptation of its films.
Internet user Natalie Molnar, a children's librarian and also a member of the popular social media website Care2, initiated a petition titled "Tell Disney You Don't Want A Whitewashed Mulan!" to prevent this from happening. So far, the thread has received 38,338 signatures.
"Disney just announced it will develop a live-action Mulan film. Take a stand against whitewashing in our media. Sign this petition to tell Disney that we demand to see them cast an Asian Mulan!
Mulan was based on a Chinese legend, the story of Fa Mu Lan, in which a young girl disguises herself as a man to serve as a soldier in the battle against Genghis Khan. The character, story, and fans deserve the best retelling of the story Disney can produce, and although the film was only announced March 30, this disturbing trend of whitewashing in big-budget movies can't get a chance to take root in Mulan as well, and if any company can afford to 'risk' adapting a beloved story with a cast of POCs (refering to People of Color, a term used primarily in the United States to describe any person who is not white), it's Disney," read the petition.
Hollywood has a history of casting Caucasian actors for its live-action adaptation of animated hits where the race of the animated protagonist is anything but white.
American actor Mickey Rooney portrayed the role of Mr. Yunioshi, the Japanese neighbor of Holly Golightly (played by Audrey Hepburn) in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's. In last year's blockbuster hit Exodus: Gods and Kings, Christian Bale took on the role of an Egyptian prince. Scarlett Johansson signed to play the role of Motoko Sanagi, the Asian protagonist in Japanese sci-fi animation Ghost in the Shell, which is schedule to open in 2017.
In the petition, Molnar states that whitewashing isn't just a target for the most politically correct; it is a problem that affects our children.
"The scariest thing about whitewashing is how easy it is to ignore if it isn't overtly affecting you—despite how far-reaching the effects really are, especially in media and entertainment aimed at children," said Molnar.
Molnar, who is a Disney fan, noted there have been "important strides" in recent years in movies like Big Hero 6, Book of Life, and the upcoming Moana. But the petition is about initiating systemic changes in filmmaking.
"Directors, investors and moviegoers need to work together to bring about a permanent, lasting change. And with a live action Mulan in development, Disney has the potential to really make a difference in this fight."
"Mulan's a girl worth fighting for - and we need to make sure Disney knows it," Molnar added.
