They Call Us Leonardo Nam

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome our old friend Leonardo Nam, who stars in Disney's Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. He talks about his journey as an artist from Argentina to Australia to Hollywood, where he first broke through in films like The Perfect Score, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift; his unexpected and delightful villainous turn as Maddox Hatter in Disney's wildly popular Descendants franchise -- including his very own full-fledged musical number; and the joy of getting to share this family-friendly project with his kids. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.

First Look Photos of Disney's 'American Born Chinese'

Adaptation of Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel stars Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu, Ke Huy Quan and more.



Disney+ has unveiled some new first look photos of its upcoming adaptation of American Born Chinese, based on the beloved graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The series has shaped up to be something of a reunion for actors Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, who also star in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which is currently cleaning up in its awards season run.

Adapted by Kelvin Yu, the "genre-hopping action comedy" series follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), the son of Chinese immigrants who struggles with assimilating in the United States. Jin escapes into fantasy realms to grapple with his emotions and encounters spiritual creatures from Chinese mythology like Sun Wukong the Monkey King, played by Daniel Wu, and Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, played by Yeoh.

Check out the photos:

They Call Us Bruce 151: They Call Us Domee Shi

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome Oscar-winning filmmaker Domee Shi, writer/director of the Pixar animated feature Turning Red. They discuss making an unapologetically Asian Canadian story, intergenerational drama, releasing the beast within, and accepting your whole self -- even your whole self is a giant red panda.

'Mulan ' trailer promises swords, sorcery and swooshy hair

Let's get down to business, the new Mulan trailer is here. Disney just released the full trailer for the upcoming live-action adaptation of the 1998 animated feature, and it promises lots of swords, sorcery and swooshy hair.

The trailer offers a bigger glimpse of film's take on the mythic Chinese woman warrior. Liu Yifei stars as Hua Mulan, the dutiful daughter who disguises herself as a male soldier to take her father's place in China's army against invading forces. As fans have figured out by now, this Mulan appears to be more of a straight-ahead adventure epic, dropping the musical numbers and zany sidekicks for battle scenes and kung fu.

We also get significant first looks at some of the major characters, including Gong Li as the sorceress Xian Lang (who appears to possess the ability to transform into a hawk), Jason Scott Lee as the villainous Bori Khan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang, Jet Li as The Emperor.

Take a look:

'Float' is the first Pixar film to feature Filipino Americans

Bobby Rubio's personal animated short premieres on Disney+.



I won't lie: I stayed up late to watch The Mandalorian on Monday night, as soon as the new Disney+ streaming service went fully operational. I'm a Star Wars geek and I could wait no longer. With that out of the way -- it was great -- I want to make sure you watch the best film on the platform: the Pixar original animated short Float.

Directed by story artist Bobby Rubio, Float is the first Pixar film ever to feature Filipino American characters.

In Float, a father discovers that his is son is different from other kids in the most unusual way. To keep them both safe from judgement, Dad covers him and keeps him out of sight -- but when his son's ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is.

Rubio originally conceived the story as a comic... with a significant difference. The characters were white.

Swords! Arrows! Horses! Mulan! Live-Action! Trailer!

Disney drops the first teaser trailer for the live-action remake of 'Mulan.'



This is a proper teaser trailer. Disney has dropped the first look at its upcoming live-action remake of Mulan, based on the tale of China's legendary woman warrior. Let me just say, if you want to get me excited about this Mulan movie I've been a little skeptical about up to now, this is how you do it. Sign me up.

The film tells the story of Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, who steps in to take the place of her ailing father when the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. The epic journey will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation... and a proud father.

The trailer reveals familiar beats of the animated film, while offering the scale and scope of a period war epic. You've got our heroine expected to be a dutiful daughter and marry her match, juxtaposed against scenes of Mulan riding a horse, wielding a sword, doing gung fu flippity flips, scaling rooftops and shooting off a shitload of arrows. All while maintaining the glorious curls in her hair.

Check it out:

Bao is the most-watched Asian American movie of 2018

Watch the acclaimed Pixar animated short online in its entirety.



I just recently came to our attention that Disney/Pixar has released Bao in its entirety online. In case you haven't seen it yet, or feel like re-watching it and weeping big wet salty soy sauce tears.

Domee Shi's acclaimed animated short, which preceded The Incredibles 2 in theaters, centers on an empty-nesting Chinese mom who gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life. But she must come to terms with the bittersweet revelation that nothing stays cute and small forever.

Check it out:

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 4: They Call Us Andi Mack

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



Greetings, podcast listeners! We are back with Episode 4 of our recently launched podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

This week, we welcomed Lilan Bowden, who plays Bex on the new Disney Channel series Andi Mack. We talk about the show's refreshing, un-Disney-like take on family, and why it's important to see yourself represented onscreen. And my choice for "Bad" kid's TV show is controversial. Listen here:

There's a very un-Disney-like twist at the center of 'Andi Mack'

Watch the premiere episode of the Disney Channel's upcoming new series.



Hey, look! Asians on TV! Andi Mack, the highly-anticipated new Disney Channel series from the creator of Lizzie McGuire, adds to the growing tally of Asian American families on television, with a great cast that includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Lilan Bowden and Lauren Tom.

But after the watching the wonderful premiere episode, which is now available in its entirety online, it's pretty clear that this is unlike any Asian American family we've seen on TV before. I loved it.

The coming-of-age series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her adventurous, motorcycle-riding older sister Bex (Bowden) returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known.

The performances -- particularly from Lee and Bowden -- are charming as hell and the writing is sharp. Sure, this is a youth-oriented show, and a few of the zingy one-liners. wise-cracking best friends and boy-crush subplot all reflect that. And yes, it's noteworthy that the show centers on a biracial Asian American family. But ultimately, the driving force of the story is the atomic reveal that gets dropped in the middle of the premiere.

See it for yourself. Watch the full first episode here:

First Look at Disney Channel's 'Andi Mack'

Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Lilan Bowden



Hey, look! Another Asian American family on television! Andi Mack, the upcoming new Disney Channel series from the creator of Lizzie MacGuire, stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Lilan Bowden as sisters.

The single-camera coming-of-age series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her capricious older sister Bex (Bowden) returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known.

Here's the first super-brief teaser trailer promo thing for Andi Mack:

Pioneering artist Tyrus Wong dies at 106

His paintings served as the visual inspiration for Disney's 'Bambi.'



Tyrus Wong, the pioneering Chinese American artist who paintings served as visual inspiration for Disney's animated classic Bambi and other Hollywood works, died on Friday. He was 106.

Tyrus Wong, Pioneer 'Bambi' Artist, Dies at 106

Wong was a painter, muralist, ceramicist, lithographer, designer and kite maker. His professional career included working as a greeting card designer for Hallmark, a film production illustrator for Warner Brothers, and an inspirational sketch artist for Disney, where he most famously served as the lead artist for Bambi.

Wong's death was announced on the Facebook page for Tyrus, the 2015 documentary on his life and career.

"With his passing, we have lost a brilliant artist, motion picture & animation legend, Chinese American pioneer, and hero," the post read. "He survived Angel Island, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Great Depression, discrimination, and the loss of Ruth, his soul mate and beloved wife of over 50 years. Yet Tyrus always faced adversity with dignity, courage -- and art."

Disney Says 'Mulan' Will Not Feature a White Male Lead

Guest Post by ConcernedForMulan



I am writing this 19 hours since my open letter was shared on the Angry Asian Man blog as a closing statement to the revolution we've made today, and to congratulate our community for this tremendous feat of solidarity.

Disney has officially responded, as seen in this Vanity Fair article:

Don't Worry: Mulan Will Not Feature a White Male Lead

Though the article disparagingly writes off my words as "rumors," it admits that Disney does not deny that the spec script contains what I described. I, and many others who have read the script, know it to be true -- the spec script is problematic in its depiction of a white male hero who serves as Mulan's love interest, helps fight her battles, and ultimately is the one who defeats the enemy of China. That was the script that Disney bought, which, even as a "jumping-off point," is unacceptable. Disney now publicly states that the male lead will be Chinese and that the script is being rewritten. So let's hold them to it. It's as much as an apology we can expect from a company as large as this, but is much appreciated nonetheless.

An Open Letter to the Creators of Disney's Live-Action Feature Film 'The Legend of Mulan'

Guest Post by ConcernedForMulan



A white merchant's business brings him to the heart of a legendary Asian conflict -- he unwittingly helps save the day while winning the heart of the Asian female. Am I describing the plotline of the Netflix series Marco Polo? No. I'm describing the spec script that Disney bought for its live-action feature film, The Legend of Mulan, which is projected for release in 2018.

As an Asian American person in the industry, I am furious after reading this script. I am writing this letter anonymously so all the fans anticipating this remake will know how problematic it is in its current form. We must urge the creators of Disney's live-action Mulan to reconsider the story before the film goes into production.

The 1998 Disney animated classic focused on Mulan's transition from being a young girl failing to fit the mold of a perfect daughter and wife to a heroine whose brave acts ultimately save ancient China. Her determination allows her to rise above the gender expectations of her culture and become the one who brings "honor to us all." Hers is essentially an Asian American tale because it fused Asian characters and culture with a coming-of-age hero's journey that resonated with American audiences.

So why does the script for the live-action remake feature a white male lead?

New Disney short 'Inner Workings' explores the duel between the heart and the brain

New animated short, directed by Leo Matsuda, will premiere in front of Disney's 'Moana.' By David Yeh.



It is often said of Asian Americans in Hollywood that to be seen and to be represented, we need to be doing more behind the camera. While it still seems to be an uphill climb in live action, we've already been seeing the results in animation for quite some time. Over at Walt Disney, the biggest animation studio, director Leo Matsuda is bringing his own Japanese Brazillian sensibilities to his new short, Inner Workings, set to debut with the November release of Disney's feature Moana.

Inner Workings is a six-minute tale of the heart and brain, following the internal struggle of Paul, an average joe office worker whose pragmatic logical side engages in a tug-of-war with his free-spirited adventurous side.

Disney Channel picks up family series 'Andi Mack'

Another Asian American family joins the airwaves. By Jes Vu.



Looks like another Asian-American family will be making its way to a television near you. Andi Mack, a new family series from the creator of Lizzie McGuire, has just been picked up by the Disney Channel.

'Andi Mack' Comedy From 'Lizzie McGuire' Creator Picked Up To Series By Disney Channel

Andi Mack is a "single-camera family series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her capricious older sister Bex returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known."

'Big Hero 6' TV series in the works

Marvel/Disney's animated superhero squad will make the leap to Disney XD in 2017.



Cool news for fans of Big Hero 6. We will indeed get to see the further adventures of the animated Marvel/Disney superhero squad, but it won't be in a feature film sequel. Big Hero 6 is making a heroic leap to the small screen as an animated TV series, set to premiere on Disney XD sometime in 2017.

Big Hero 6 animated TV series zooms to Disney XD for 2017

The series will pick up right where the hit 2014 movie left off, following the further adventures of teen tech genius Hiro Hamada, his loyal cuddly robot Baymax, and rest of the Big Hero 6 team. Now something of a legend at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, Hiro and the crew will face new villains and challenges:

Disney accused of segregating Sikh employee

Gurdit Singh was barred from delivering mail in view of Disney World guests because of his turban and beard.



In Orlando, a Sikh American employee of Walt Disney World, who claimed his delivery routes were restricted and hidden from public view of Disney visitors because of his religious appearance, has won the right to have the same routes as other delivery workers.

Disney Allows Sikh Worker to Show Turban and Uncut Beard

Gurdit Singh, a mail carrier at Disney World, wears a turban and unshaved beard in accordance of his Sikh faith, which allegedly violate Disney's strict grooming guidelines, known as "The Disney Look." Because of his appearance, Singh says he was segregated from co-workers, denied career advancements and barred from delivering mail through Disney's resorts and theme parks in view of guests.

Badass photos of "Mulan" at Walt Disney World Resort

Photographer re-creates Disney's animated take on the legendary woman warrior.



Last week marked the anniversary of the release of Disney's 1998 animated feature Mulan, based on the Chinese myth of the legendary woman warrior. To celebrate, the Disney Parks Blog posted a series of images by Disney photographer Ryan Wendler featuring Mulan disguised as Ping at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Special Images of Mulan as 'Ping' at Walt Disney World Resort

In the film, Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to take her father's place in the Imperial Army in the fight against the Huns. It's been a while since I've been to Disneyland, but I'm told that "Mulan" can be seen in real-life at the Disney parks, but usually in "princess" garb. Honestly, she looks waaaay cooler in warrior mode.

Check it out:

Disney is making a live-action 'Mulan'

The studio has bought a script based on the legendary Chinese woman warrior.



Well. This is some interesting movie news. On the heels of the box office success of its live-action Cinderella retelling, Disney has announced that it is developing a live-action version of Mulan.

Disney Developing Live-Action 'Mulan' (Exclusive)

Disney has reportedly bought a script by Elizabeth Martin and Lauren Hynek, based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, the female warrior fans know and love from the studio's 1998 animated feature Mulan.

'Big Hero 6' artist pays homage to Hayao Miyazaki

Hiro and Baymax recreate an iconic moment from 'My Neighbor Totoro'



Been seeing this passed around widely... Jin Kim, Character Design Supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios, drew this awesome piece featuring Big Hero 6 characters Hiro Hamada and Baymax in an homage to legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Fans will immediately recognize the drawing as an iconic allusion to the Studio Ghibli classic My Neighbor Totoro. It's pretty darn wonderful: