Which was the thread we were complaining about Disney's long term plans for live action remakes of every movie ever? They're now talking about a Live Action Mulan, and so far the only news about is that Ang Lee
isn't directing it (automatically ensuring it's a good movie) and the fact they're going to do their darndest not to pull a The Great Wall and whitewash the cast. If they actually manage to pull that off, that'll even manage to make it a step above the original. Though I'm sure if a CGI Mushu is part of the film, they'd have to throw
some celebrity in there.
The thing about the movie Mulan is that, while there were some Asian actors in key roles (though George Takai is
Japanese), you have the likes of June Foray and Harvey Firestein, decidedly non-Asian actors (though well appreciated, especially June), and Donny Osmond doing the singing voice for one of the main characters. Chinese dub, it's Jackie Chan singing... just saying...
The one
tiny complaint I had with the movie Kubo was that, while there were Japanese actors (including George Takai, this time playing a Japanese person), they were all bit parts, while the main characters weren't. And frankly, in animation it's fine and you can get away with it there.
But the thing about the live action The Great Wall movie is, you can't just have Matt Damon do the voice of a Chinese protagonist. And then you get into this very difficult situation where even a movie made for Chinese audiences can't have Chinese actors because the Chinese movie goers somehow want to see our big famous American actors in a movie about Chinese history. Obviously because their own movies have their own countrymen in them already and will only see something if big name international stars are in there. And that's the Catch 22. You can't make a movie without having a big star attached, but you can't let an ethnic actor become famous enough without making them the lead. Wanting it both ways, you see.
I hope Disney follows its promise on this one. I want someone to be bold enough to make a movie about a Chinese legend with Chinese actors. Though, if that's the case, they'll probably do that thing where they cast generic Asians of different backgrounds to be all Chinese. That also tends to bug me because of historical animosity these countries had with each other.
I can't watch the original movie right now. Sadly I end up being reminded of all the disgusting "fans" I encountered online (and no, I'm not saying everyone who disliked the movie is disgusting). Thankfully though, they tend to ignore Ghostbusters II, so I'm still able to enjoy it, lol, it doesn't feel as tainted. It helps that it's a movie about positivity. Something the fanbase seems to have forgotten.
All I can say about this is that if the fanbase was so angry that this film happened, they've been mad at the wrong people. Sony wanted to make a Ghostbusters film at any cost, and the blame of a reboot should only fall on them. In terms of if the film was good or bad, you can blame actors, directors, writers, and executives for ruining a film, but you blame the existence of the film on the ones who greenlit it. I fully believe that they would have made
any Ghostbusters movie with any cast if anyone shoved a script in front of them. I give credit for all involved with this film because films made for women are far more pandering and patronizing than this film ever was accused of being. I mean, they made another Bridget Jones movie.
But the thing that
really bugs me is when this film is called a failure that's damaging the future of the franchise. What?! Okay, if you liked the movie and want a sequel that's one thing. I liked the movie, I don't know if I want a sequel, and if we get one, fine. If we don't, fine. But why would you want
more Ghostbusters films if you don't like the idea of more Ghostbusters films? The franchise, no matter what, is strong enough to survive on the merits of both original movies and the cartoon series. I don't usually see piles of unsold GB retro merchandise. Those tend to get snapped up. Maybe the odd Real Ghostbusters retro G.I. Joe action figurey doll things showed up at Marshalls, and I did get the Janine/Slimer/Samhain set cheap. Other than that, the old GB characters are still recognizable. As much as I want to see the animated movie happen, I don't think we really need any more GB movies, be it Ghostbusters 2016 2 or Ghostbusters 3 or (more likely) some
actually bad reboot that actually
deserves hate. The franchise doesn't
need a future, especially from those who hate all their future plans.
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