'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:

John Cho inspects a really gross bathtub in 'The Grudge'

Watch the trailer for the new remake of the Japanese horror classic.



Wait, a Hollywood remake of a remake of an Asian horror movie... starring an actual Asian person? Actually starring John Cho, actually. In this trailer for the upcoming new take on The Grudge, we see Cho as a real estate agent named Peter Spencer arriving at a spooky house and inspecting a really yucky bathtub. Later, we see poor Peter taking a shower... and more yucky things happen. Dude needs some new shampoo.

Take a look:

Taika Waititi is officially directing the live-action 'Akira'

Warner Bros. has set the release date for May 21, 2021.



The live-action adaptation of Akira has been drowning in a special kind of Hollywood hell for years, with many different directors, many false starts, and many white actors attached to star. If you ask most fans of the famed cult manga and animated feature, it was probably best for everyone to just let this one die.

Taika Waititi's 'Akira' Will Take Off In Summer 2021

But Akira is not dead. It lives. Warner Bros. has announced that Taika Waititi is directing Akira. Officially. Finally. Seriously, the rumors started like two years ago. And hey, the script is co-written by Michael Golamco, who co-wrote the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe with Randall Park and Ali Wong.

These are all very positive developments.

John Cho to star in live-action 'Cowboy Bebop' series

Cho leads a diverse cast in Netflix's remake of the iconic anime series.



John Cho will star in as Spike Spiegel in the live action adaptation of the classic Japanese animated space western Cowboy Bebop, arguably the coolest damn show ever made. And now actually #StarringJohnCho.

'Cowboy Bebop': John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda & Alex Hassell To Star In Netflix Series

Cowboy Bebop is "the jazz-inspired, genre-bending story of a rag-tag crew of bounty hunters on the run from their pasts as they hunt down the solar system's most dangerous criminals," aboard their spaceship, the Bebop.

Liu Yifei to star in Disney's live-action 'Mulan'

Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, will play the title role.



From The Hollywood Reporter: After a yearlong worldwide search, Mulan has been found.

Chinese actress Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, is set to star as the title woman warrior in Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic Chinese tale.

A team of casting directors visited five continents and saw nearly 1,000 candidates for the role, which requires credible martial arts skills, the ability to speak English and the most ineffable requirement of all: star quality. In deference to cultural accuracy, the studio focused on locating an ethnically Chinese young woman to play Hua Mulan, who disguised herself as a man to take her father's army conscription in fifth-century China.

More here: Disney's 'Mulan' Finds Its Star

Niki Caro to direct Disney's live-action 'Mulan' remake

Producers assure fans that the film will be "culturally authentic."



The Mulan remake has found its director. Niki Caro, who broke through with the 2002 Maori family drama Whale Rider, will helm Disney's live-action retelling of the legendary Chinese female warrior.

Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan' Finds Director

The studio was originally looking for an Asian director for the project, meeting with Ang, who passed due to scheduling issues, and Chinese director Jiang Wen (who is probably best known right now for playing Baze Malbus in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).

According to folklore, Hua Mulan was a woman warrior who disguised herself as a man and took her aging father's place to fight on behalf of her family in the army, defending China from invaders. Disney released a hit animated version of the story in 1998. The remake is said to be a blend of the legend and the animated film.

Starring Scarlett Johansson as Super Asian Robot Lady

Look at all the Cool Asian Shit in the 'Ghost in the Shell' trailer



Oh yeah, I forgot this was happening.

In case you missed it, Paramount recently dropped the first official full-length trailer for the live action Ghost in the Shell adaptation. Based on the classic sci-fi anime/manga, Scarlett Johansson stars as the human-cyborg Major -- otherwise known as Major Motoko Kusanagi in the original source material. But you knew that. Yes, for the uninitiated, this is that movie where Scarlett plays a Japanese robot lady.

Ghost in the Shell follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic's advancements in cyber technology. And if they get around to it, Section 9 might just crack the baffling case of why the Major is played by a white woman.

Take a look:

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 photos from the set of 'Ghost in the Shell'

(Yes, Major Motoko Kusanagi is still white.)



So... if you're ready to get mad at Scarlett Johansson all over again, here's a new crop of unofficial photos from the set of the live-action Ghost in the Shell remake, currently filming in Hong Kong.

New Ghost in the Shell set pics featuring Scarlett Johansson & Pilou Asbæk

You get a glimpse of Ms. Johansson in her Major Motoko haircut, as well as Pilou Asbæk as Batou, in what is presumably supposed to double as street-level dystopian Tokyo. The location shots, from HK01 and Apple Daily, feature a bunch of extras in various future garb and offer a general sense of the film's visual vibe.

Check it out:

Our first look at Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell'

And now the full whitewash cycle is complete.



So this is really happening, huh? Production has begun on DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures' live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell, based on the classic manga series by Masamune Shirow. And here is your first look at Scarlett Johansson as the character they're calling "The Major." I guess they didn't have the guts to refer to her by the character's original name: Major Motoko Kusanagi.

And now the full whitewash cycle is complete.

According to the studio's press release, Ghost in the Shell follows the Major, "a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic's advancements in cyber technology."

'Ghost in the Shell' remake casts an actual Japanese actor

Takeshi "Beat" Kitano will play Daisuke Aramaki in the Hollywood adaptation of the anime classic.



Wow, for real? Legendary Japanese actor Takeshi "Beat" Kitano has joined the cast of Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks' live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga classic Ghost in the Shell.

Japanese Icon Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano Boards 'Ghost In The Shell'

My only reaction to this is dammit, this project is still happening?

Based on the iconic manga series by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell follows a female Special Ops cyborg, played by Scarlett Johansson, who is part of an elite task force called Section 9 that's devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists.

Kitano will play Daisuke Aramaki, the founder and leader of Section 9.

'Meet the Patels' remake in the works

Ravi Patel and Geeta Patel will co-direct the narrative comedy for Fox Searchlight.



This sounds pretty cool... Ravi Patel and Geeta Patel, the sibling filmmaker team behind Meet the Patels, have signed a deal with Fox Searchlight to remake their hit documentary as a narrative comedy.

'Meet The Patels' In Fox Searchlight Remake Deal; Ravi And Geeta Patel To Write, Co-Direct

The film is the perfect real-life setup for a romantic comedy, so this is pretty much a no-brainer. Meet the Patels follows Ravi, nursing a devastating breakup, giving in to his parents' relentless pressure to let them find a suitable girl for him to marry. The film chronicles his hilarious attempt to find love the old-fashioned Indian way.

Ravi and Geeta will return to co-direct their own script.

Nat Wolff to star in live-action 'Death Note' adaptation

Another popular Japanese manga gets the Hollywood whitewash.



Another Japanese manga gets the Hollywood whitewash! Actor Nat Wolff is reportedly in talks to star in Warner Brothers' live-action adaptation of Death Note, based on the popular manga series.

'Paper Towns'' Nat Wolff to Star in Adam Wingard's 'Death Note'

Wolff, whose previous credits include Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars, is in final negotiations to star in the supernatural thriller Death Note, adapted from the hit manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

In Death Note, a high school student named Light Yagami discovers a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone simply by writing the victim's name. When Light meets the notebook's previous owner, a demon called Ryuk bent on ridding the world of anyone it deems evil or useless, he ends up tracked by Interpol and a world-famous detective investigating the unexplainable deaths of several criminals.

So... Nat Wolff is going to be playing Light Yagami?

Is Christopher Nolan working on the live-action 'Akira' movie?

It's the movie project that will not die.



NOOOOOOOOO. No. Noooo. It's the movie project that will not die. Warner Brothers is determined to make the live-action Akira movie happen. The latest unsubstantiated rumor is that none other than Christopher Nolan is in talks to direct a possible film trilogy based on Katsuhiro Otomo's sci-fi manga classic.

Christopher Nolan Finds Himself At the Center of the Biggest Akira Movie Rumor Yet

According to a source close to Warner Brothers, the studio is planning to make a trilogy of films based on Akira, and Christopher Nolan, director Inception, Interstellar and The Dark Night trilogy, recently met with a previously attached filmmaker to talk about the project.

Keep in mind that at this point, this is just a sliver of a guy-who-told-another-guy kind of rumor, in a town full of such rumors. Maybe he's directing it. Maybe he's a producer. I don't actually care. The main takeaway here is that this thing is still on, and my money says they're probably still play on whitewashing the hell out of it.

Dammit. Why won't this 'Akira' remake die?

'Daredevil' showrunner Marco J. Ramirez is the latest to take a crack at the live-action 'Akira' adaptation.



Noooooooo! Warner Brothers' live-action Akira remake appears to be back like a bad rash. The movie project absolutely nobody is asking for seems to be showing signs of life yet again. Marco J. Ramirez, who will be co-showrunning the second season of Netflix's Daredevil, will write the adaptation of the manga classic.

'Daredevil' Showrunner to Write 'Akira' Adaptation for Warner Bros. (Exclusive)

Based on the legendary manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira is an epic sci-fi thriller set in the post-nuclear future of Neo-Tokyo. The dystopian, post-apocalyptic plot revolves around a teenage biker gang, a kid who acquires telekinetic powers, and the shady government agency trying to stop them. The 1988 animated feature version of Akira became a cult classic, and is considered a landmark in Japanese animation.

We've been talking about this damn thing for years. Why won't it just die?

Dwayne Johnson to star 'Big Trouble in Little China' remake

The Rock is set to star in and produce a remake of John Carpenter's 1986 fantasy/action cult classic.



Is this really happening? Hot off the opening weekend success of San Andreas, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is currently in talks to star in the remake of John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China. Whaaaaat.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson to Star in 'Big Trouble in Little China' Remake

According to The Wrap, Johnson is making a deal to star in a produce a remake of the cult classic for 20th Century Fox, to be written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz, the team behind X-Men: First Class.

Johnson would play all-American truck driver Jack Burton, who gets dragged into a centuries-old mystical battle in San Francisco's Chinatown. The original 1986 fantasy/comedy/action flick was considered a dud, earning only $11 million at the box office, but has achieved beloved cult classic status over the last three decades.

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.

Scarlett Johansson signs on to star in 'Ghost in the Shell'

Another anime classic gets the Hollywood whitewash treatment



What? Oh hell no. Previously rumored, now a done deal. Scarlett Johansson has officially signed on to star as cyborg cop Major Motoko Kusanagi in the live-action Hollywood adaptation of Ghost in the Shell.

Scarlett Johansson Signs On to Star in DreamWorks' 'Ghost in the Shell'

According to Variety, Johansson is set to star in DreamWorks' remake of the seminal Japanese animated sci-fi action classic. It was previously reported back in the fall that Johansson was offered the lead, but was still undecided about taking the role. Sources now say she's in.

Scarlett Johansson offered lead in 'Ghost in the Shell'

Anime classic's Japanese cyborg super-cop gets the Hollywood whitewash.



It appears that this live-action remake of Ghost in the Shell keeps chugging along, with none other than Scarlett Johansson now reportedly first in line to star as cyborg cop Major Motoko Kusanagi.

Scarlett Johansson Offered Ghost in the Shell!

It was previously reported that Margot Robbie was in talks to star in DreamWorks' adaptation of the manga/anime classic, but she's now apparently out of the running. According to Deadline, the role has been offered to Scarlett Johansson, who was last seen killing a lot of Asian dudes -- with her mind! -- in Lucy.

Margot Robbie in talks to star in 'Ghost in the Shell'

Another anime classic gets the inevitable live-action Hollywood whitewash treatment



While we wait for the Akira remake to die a fiery death... Hollywood is hard at work remaking another seminal anime feature, Ghost in the Shell. The 1995 animated sci-fi classic is getting the inevitable live-action remake treatment. And of course, to no one's surprise, this baby is whitewashed.

'Wolf Of Wall Street's Margot Robbie Eyes 'Ghost In The Shell'

According to Deadline, actress Margot Robbie, last seen in The Wolf of Wall Street, is currently in talks to star in DreamWorks' live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. Based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow, the film follows a Japanese public security agency's hunt for a mysterious hacker.

So... do you think she'd make a good Motoko Kusanagi?