Disney signs up Gold Coast film crew to work on epic live-action Mulan movie in New Zealand

Talented Gold Coast film crew who helped craft sets for films including Thor: Ragnarok have been headhunted to weave their magic on Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan in New Zealand.

THE Gold Coast’s loss is New Zealand’s gain — for now, at least.

Some of our most talented and experienced local film construction crew have been headhunted to weave their magic on Disney’s live-action remake of the animated film Mulan.

The workers were part of the team that built Thor: Ragnarok’s majestic Asgard and planet Sakaar sets on the backlot at Village Roadshow Studios for the film’s Gold Coast shoot.

One of the majestic Thor: Ragnarok sets under construction during filming on the Gold Coast. Workers who help build the sets have been snapped up by Disney to work on Mulan in New Zealand. Picture: David Clark

WHY THE NEW LOCATION INCENTIVE IS A GAME CHANGER
FOR GOLD COAST FILM

The tradies have packed up their tools and crossed the Tasman to create a fantastical new world for Disney’s Mulan, which boasts a whopping $290 million budget.

The production is also rumoured to visit China and Australia as part of its lengthy shoot.

ATG hears the film’s sets will be even bigger and better than the marvellous worlds created for Marvel’s third standalone film about Chris Hemsworth’s Avengers superhero character Thor.

Aerial images of one of the epic Thor: Ragnarok sets under construction at Village Roadshow Studios during the film’s Gold Coast shoot. Picture: David Clark

GUESS WHERE THAT WAS FILMED? THOR: RAGNAROK TRANSFORMS
GOLD COAST INTO ANOTHER GALAXY

Mulan preparing to head into preproduction, with director Niki Caro (Whalerider, The Zookeeper’s Wife) is begin filming in August. The film is slated for release in March 2020.

Caro, who wrote and directed the haunting New Zealand classic Whalerider, has directed three actresses to Oscar nominations — best actress winners Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) and Charlize Theron (North Country) and best supporting actress winner Frances McDormand (North Country).

Yifei Liu, picture in the 2008 film The Forbidden Kingdom, will star as Mulan in a new live-action Disney film directed by Niki Caro. Picture: Supplied.

COAST’S DORA THE EXPLORER MOVIE FINDS ITS STAR

Mulan, based on Chinese legend, tells the story of young female warrior Hua Mulan, who disguises herself as a man and joins the Chinese army when she is forced to step into her father’s shoes to save her country.

Chinese singer and actress Liu Yifei leads the cast as Mulan, backed by an all-star ensemble that includes Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Jet Li (The Expendables), Gong Li (Ana) and Xana Tang (Filthy Rich).

Jet Li is one of the all-star cast members set to bring Disney’s animated hit Mulan to life on the big screen. Picture: Supplied.

Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, landed the lead role after a team of casting directors visited five continents to see more than 1000 candidates of Chinese origin as part of their search for an English and Mandarin-speaking actress with star quality and incredible martial arts skills.