The original 'Mulan' co-director breaks down how he feels about the changes made in the live-action movie

Kirsten AcunaSep 4, 2020, 19:21 IST

Tony Bancroft tells Insider what he thought of the phoenix and more of the changes in the live-action "Mulan."Walt Disney Studios

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Disney's live-action "Mulan."
"Mulan" is now available to stream on Disney Plus for an additional $29.99 in the US and is playing in some theaters worldwide.
Original co-director Tony Bancroft tells Insider what he thinks of the movie's new characters and surprise cameo.

Disney's live-action "Mulan" is out on Disney Plus and in select theaters and it has the stamp of approval from the animated movie's co-director.

"I thought [director] Niki Caro did a great job of bringing Mulan to life, to real life here in live-action," Tony Bancroft told Insider in March.

Similar to the 1998 film, the live-action movie follows Mulan as she takes her father's place in war to protect the emperor from a vengeful group of outsiders led by Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee).

Unlike its predecessor, the new film does away with fan-favorite Mushu in favor of a phoenix and ditches the majority of songs from the film. After viewing the film in March, Bancroft told Insider he was happy with many of the film's changes. His favorite moment included a surprise cameo near the movie's end.

Bancroft is OK that the film didn't have Mushu and liked the phoenix character.

Bancroft didn't miss Mushu in the live-action adaptation. He's replaced by a phoenix in the film. Disney

He was happy the film focused more on the relationship between Mulan and her father.

Mulan's father narrates portions of the live-action film as he tells the viewer about his legendary daughter. Disney

Bancroft was even OK that most of the songs were gone from the movie because there were winks and nods to them.

You can hear a version of "Honor to Us All" play as Mulan prepares to meet the matchmaker. Disney

Bancroft was fine with the split made to Li Shang's character. Early in the animated movie, they also considered making him Mulan's equal.

In the new film, Mulan's peer and love interest goes by the name Honghui. Jasin Boland/Disney

Some of the five soldiers could have been fleshed out more.

The live-action film adds two more men to Mulan's group of comrades with Cricket and Honghui. Disney

Bancroft's favorite moment in the film was a big nod to the original animated movie.

The original Mulan introduces the new Mulan to the emperor. Frederic M. Brown/AFP, Getty Images, Walt Disney Animation

Overall, he really enjoyed the live-action film.

"Mulan" is on Disney Plus. Walt Disney Studios

37 of the biggest differences the live-action 'Mulan' makes from the animated movie

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