Lee Byung-hun lands role in Mulan
Korean heart-throb Lee Byung-hun (40) has just landed the coveted male lead role in the Hollywood production of Mulan. He will be starring opposite the beautiful Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi.
Word has it that Lee beat A-listers like Keanu Reeves, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Takuya Kimura, Jerry Yan and fellow Korean Won Bin to play Mulan’s lover. Lee will assume the role of a general from the Xianbei descent from eastern Mongolia.
Mulan will be helmed by Speed director, Jan de Bont.
Lee Byung-hun gained worldwide recognition when he starred in the Hollywood blockbuster G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (he played the very charismatic villain Storm Shadow). Lee was also in the spaghetti western The Good, The Bad, The Weird and the hit Korean spy drama IRIS.
Mulan is expected to hit cinemas January 2011.
Credits: The Daily Chilli
Pic credits: Yonhap news
Although I don’t mind ZZ as an actress, I don’t think casting her as Mulan is the right fit. ZZ just seems too girly & fragile to play such a tough character. To me, Mulan is feminine & cute but also kind of tomboy-ish. And I just don’t see ZZ in that role. I thought Vicky Zhao was perfect for the role in the recent Chinese live action make of Mulan.
Indeed, considering that Keeanu is a good friend of the ‘Speed’ director,
it’s amazing LBH beat him out!
It’s incredible in that
the two leads in this Hollywood production are all Asian actors~
Although it’s not that refreshing to choose Zhang Ziyi as the female lead,
for a marketing point of view, I think it was a wise act:
Hollywood film making is all bout money.
1. Westerners think Zhang is the most beautiful Asian woman in the world (ha!),
so it will attract many Westerners
2. Of course, Chinese from all around the world will go see it..
3. Lee Byung Hun — all hanryu fans from around the world, Koreans, Japanese women who kiss the ground where LBH walks on^^, etc., etc.
He indeed exudes powerful warrior CHARISMA
Ahhh, can’t wait for the film!!!!!
I am actually kind of bitter that he beat out Won Bin. Won Bin was amazing (and amazingly attractive) in A Man from Nowhere.
What?!? He beat out Keanu Reeves? Ah well 😛
Lee Byung Hun looks like a Mongolian Lord most convincingly! Plus he speaks excellent English.
Lee Byung Hun looks like a Mongolian Lord most convincingly! Plus he speaks excellent English.
Awesome! Can’t wait for the movie to be released. =)
Doubt Takuya’s personality would have fit that role. He has this playful side to him. Could see Byung Hun fitting right in, though it keeps me wondering how Kaneshiro and Won Bin would have played it