In the run up to the release of Mulan in theaters, Disney has given potential audiences a new poster and trailer to build anticipation. Helping to promote the live-action remake is star Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, who returned to Twitter and Instagram just days ago after several months of silence.
Liu's return, as well as the renewed focus on Mulan, has reignited resentment, resulting in a return of the #BoycottMulan hashtag. Over the summer, the hashtag started trending in several countries in and around South East Asia following Liu's decision to share a controversial image on Chinese social media platform Weibo expressing support for the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), which has allegedly employed a variety of excessively violent tactics to handle peaceful protesters.
Several notable figures, including Hong Kong activists and politicians, have shared the hashtag in support for a mass boycott of the film, often attaching a mock poster depicting the Disney character in riot gear worn by the HKPF.
The controversy is rooted in the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong-- a movement against the encroaching influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the special autonomous region. Neither Liu nor Disney have provided comment on the situation. Disney CEO Bob Iger has suggested in the past that the company will maintain a neutral stance on the topic, so as not to risk the company's investments in China.
Directed by Niki Caro, Disney's Mulan stars Yifei Liu as Mulan, Donnie Yen as Commander Tung, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan, and Yoson An as Cheng Honghui, with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film opens March 27, 2020.