Jet Li is to star in Disney's live-action 'Mulan' movie.

Jet Li

Jet Li

The 54-year-old actor - who is one of China's biggest and most successful international stars - is said to be in finals talks with the studio about playing the Emperor of China in the much-anticipated remake, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Although Li - who has previously starred in 'Lethal Weapon 4', 'The Legend' and 'Ocean Paradise' - is yet to sign a contract with Disney, the studio is well on its way to completing its cast as Gong Li has been confirmed as the movie's villain.

Donnie Yen was also recently cast as the Commander Tung, a mentor and teacher to Mulan, while Liu Yifei will star in the titular role.

The lead part didn't come easy to 30-year-old Yifei though as it's believed a team of casting directors visited five continents and spoke to nearly 1,000 candidates for the role, which required credible martial arts skills and the ability to speak English.

Disney original adapted the myth into a popular animation back in 1998, which followed Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) as she takes her father's spot - despite being technically unqualified to serve due to being a woman.

Impersonating a man, she goes off to train with fellow recruits, accompanied by her dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy), and Mulan uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion and falls in love with the captain along the way.

The 1998 animation featured hit songs including 'Reflection' and 'I'll Make a Man Out of You', but filmmaker Caro revealed the new adaptation will not be a musical - unlike the other live-action Disney remakes.

Speaking to Moviefone, Caro confirmed: "Yes, from what I understand, no songs right now, much to the horror of my children."

Sean Bailey, the president of Motion Picture Production at Walt Disney Studios, recently said Caro would be taking a "very muscular" approach to the tale, and the director confirmed his comments about her plans for the "girly martial arts epic".

The screenplay is written by Lauren Hynek, Rick Jaffa, Elizabeth Martin, Amanda Silver and produced by Chris Bender, William Kong, Jason Reed, J.C. Spink and Jake Weiner.

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