Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Disney's live-action Mulan will star Liu Yifei.
The 30-year-old Chinese actress and singer, aka Crystal Liu, will play the title character in the forthcoming reboot, according to Variety.
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Liu Yifei (L), pictured with Danish film director Bille August, will play the title character in Disney's live-action "Mulan." File Photo by Wu Hong/EPA
The Hollywood Reporter said Liu landed the role of Hua Mulan after a lengthy search for an ethnically Chinese actress. The casting team saw nearly 1,000 candidates for the part, which requires martial arts skills and the ability to speak English.
Liu, nicknamed "Fairy Sister" for her sweet and delicate looks, is a huge star in China who started her career in TV. She is also known for the movies The Forbidden Kingdom, The Assassins and Once Upon a Time.
Disney previously adapted the story of Mulan, a legendary woman warrior, as a 1998 animated film featuring the voice of Ming-Na. Niki Caro will direct the new movie, which is eyeing a release in 2019.
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