EXCLUSIVE | 'Mulan' actor Jun Yu wants Asian kids to watch the film and be proud of their heritage: 'We belong'
Fans who have been dying to see the live-action remake of 'Mulan' will finally get their wish this week. The film was supposed to be screened in theatres this year, but the pandemic threw a spanner in the works. It will now release on September 4 on Disney+. 'Mulan' tells the inspiring and powerful story of the titular woman warrior, who disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the army to save China from the Huns.
In an exclusive interview with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), Jun Yu, who plays the role of the Cricket in the film, speaks about his experience working in the live-action remake and the challenges he faced.
You play the role of the Cricket in the film 'Mulan'. What can you tell us about your character?
I play a soldier named Cricket who is an earnest kid wanting to fit in with the group.
What different twist did you give Cricket as compared to the original film?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I added any twists, but I mainly kept the innocence from Cricket in the original film.
What were the biggest challenges in playing this role?
I would say that riding a horse was by far the biggest challenge for me. They are some large animals who just intimidate me!
Is the live-action a departure from the original? If so, do you think the fans will warm up to these changes?
There are things for everyone who watches this film, not just the fans of the original animated film, but even the new generation who have never even heard of Mulan. This story is an epic one.
Can you tell us some of your favorite moments that you enjoyed when shooting for this film?
It is hard to pinpoint certain moments, but the amount of laughter and the bonds that were formed are everything to me.
Did you go back to the original Chinese folklore about Mulan, the warrior? If so, how did this help?
I actually did read the ballad. It is the original story so it was helpful to know where this world came from.
What role do you think Mulan plays in terms of representation?
I want little Asian kids, and all kids, to watch this and see that our heritage and culture is something to be proud of. We are here. We belong.
What other projects do you have lined up?
I do have a few projects on the way but sadly cannot speak about anything just yet.
(With contributions from Priyanka Sundar)