Disney’s Mulan is scheduled to release worldwide at the end of March, and it's unlikely that the coronavirus outbreak in China and around the world will delay the movie. The respiratory disease that was first discovered in China now has been detected in almost 100 countries and territories worldwide. Although this has put a huge damper on filming, Disney has pressed on and Mulan's release date of March 27, 2020 remains unchanged.
The live-action feature film based on Disney’s 1998 cartoon version will follow the same plot, with a more serious tone. Mulan sets to save her father from death in the army, when he’s called to serve, she secretly goes in his place and ends up becoming one of the biggest heroines China has ever known. Director Niki Caro has confirmed that 2020's Mulan won't be a musical because she intends to focus on the intense journey the character must take and the enormous obstacles she overcomes in order to bring honor to her family. Yifei Liu headlines the movie as Mulan alongside actors Donnie Yen (Commander Tung), Li Gong (Xian Lang/ The Witch), Jason Scott Lee (Boris Khan) and Jet Li (The Emperor).
Recently, MGM and Universal delayed No Time To Die seven months, prompting concerns among moviegoers that other studios might follow suit. While many films aren't releasing in China right now because movie theaters are closed due to the coronavirus, not many movies have been delayed in western countries - and Mulan certainly won't be delayed. It releases in just a few weeks and the press tour has already started. Plus, press screenings are in the process of being scheduled, so it's too late to delay it without incurring significant costs.
No Time To Die's delay will cost MGM $30 million, but it would likely be worse for Disney if they pulled out now, seeing as the James Bond movie still had time before it began the final leg of its marketing campaign and promotional tour. Of course, not delaying Mulan doesn't mean Disney won't see some impact from the coronavirus outbreak. The disease has affected China in a big way already - and Mulan is looking to make a hefty sum from the Middle Kingdom because of the subject material and the talent involved, but if theaters remain closed, then the film won't release in that country this month.
But while the box office loss in China will be detrimental, Disney is confident the excitement for the movie around the world will help catapult the film to success. And it's always possible that Mulan could release in China at a later point once theaters have reopened and people are comfortable with public settings again. But for now, Mulan is on schedule to release in the United States and other countries around the world.
