With the live-action remake of Mulan now on Disney+, we look back and see which Mulan characters would be the perfect fit in Star Wars.
The live-action remake of Mulan is now available on Disney+ for $29.99 in addition to the regular subscription price, but the original animated version is available as part of the subscription service at no additional charge. The remake has rated lower than the animated version with both critics and fans, and the mixed opinion of the live-action version has also seen some comparisons to Star Wars.
Rather than delving into the arguments about the remake, here we’re taking a look at the beloved animated original that starred Ming-Na Wen as Fa Mulan, Eddie Murphy as Mushu, and BD Wong as Captain Li Shang. Looking at Star Wars characters from throughout the Star Wars cinematic catalog, here those beloved characters have been re-cast to play 16 roles in the original Mulan.
Shan Yu: Darth Maul
In the opening moment of Mulan, we are introduced to the movie’s chilling antagonist Shan Yu. The terrifying leader of the Hun Army is frighteningly calm, and takes each of his adversaries seriously, even when the unlikely Mulan is revealed as “the soldier from the mountains.”
Darth Maul was a man of even fewer words than Shan Yu and delivered the same intimidating presence. While Darth Vader is the most well-known antagonist from Star Wars, it is Maul who feels like the better fit as the confident leader of the Hun Army.
The Emperor of China: Yoda
Directly in opposition to Shan Yu from the very beginning is The Emperor of China. Much like Master Yoda, The Emperor of China is not beyond speaking in metaphors and hiding deeper meanings in his words. On top of that, they’ve both got a tendency to act in surprising or unorthodox ways.
Yoda’s mischievous side and desire to buck tradition is seen many times, whereas The Emperor of China is willing to acknowledge the difference Mulan makes despite her gender. The Emperor is also not afraid to break away from his formal demeanor to deliver less serious lines such as “you don’t meet a girl like that every dynasty.”
Fa Mulan: Jyn Erso
While some might first look to a character like Rey to fill the role of Mulan, the best fit is actually Jyn Erso from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Like Fa Mulan, she comes from a complicated family that didn’t always seem to be on her side.
Fa Mulan finds herself separated from her family, but her actions ultimately turn the tide in a war that affects her entire nation. Jyn Erso may have only been seen in one film, but her impact in fighting against The Empire can’t be overlooked.
Fa Zhou & Fa Li: Galen Erso & Lyra Erso
Following the casting of Jyn Erso as Fa Mulan, we have Galen Erso and Lyra Erso filling the roles as Fa Mulan’s parents Fa Zhou and Fa Li. Galen and Lyra are close to their daughter, but the effects of the war tear the family apart.
The same begins to happen to Fa Mulan and her parents Fa Zhou and Fa Li, as Mulan’s parents must stay back and hope she can make things right on her own. Ultimately, Fa Mulan succeeds without her family just as Jyn Erso did, and Fa Mulan is even able to bring her family back together after saving China.
Grandmother Fa: Obi-Wan Kenobi
For clarity, the Obi-Wan Kenobi that fills this role is “Old Ben Kenobi” we see in the original Star Wars trilogy. While Grandmother Fa isn’t around the entire time, her influence on Mulan is felt throughout the movie.
Little Brother: BB-8
Little Brother is a minor character seen primarily in the beginning of the animated film Mulan, but his adorable presence made him a fan favorite. The same can be said for BB-8, who had a more prominent role in Star Wars but would be perfectly at home as the cute Little Brother of Mulan.
Cri-Kee: R2-D2
Originally introduced by Grandmother Fa, Cri-Kee is the lucky cricket that comes to accompany Mulan throughout her journey. Just like R2-D2, his presence comes without a word.
R2-D2 is also directly connected to Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, who is set here to play Grandmother Fa. R2-D2 is as beloved as Cri-Kee, and would fit the role perfectly.
The Matchmaker: Watto
A bit of an outside choice, The Matchmaker could be seen as played by Watto. The Matchmaker plays a pivotal role in Mulan’s growth, even with her less than reputable actions. This rings true with Watto, who enslaved Anakin Skywalker as a child.
First Ancestor Fa: Qui-Gon Jinn
First Ancestor Fa is the primary ancestral spirit we see when they choose to summon a guardian to assist Mulan. We’ve seen many similar spiritual mentor characters in Star Wars, but none seem more fitting than Qui-Gon Jinn from The Phantom Menace.
Mushu: C-3PO
Going along with the choice to have R2-D2 play the role of Cri-Kee, it wouldn’t be right to break him up from beloved companion C-3PO. It’s even more appropriate because C-3PO would be such an entertaining choice to play the less than competent disgraced guardian trying to guide Mulan on her journey.
Mushu may not be the primary character in Mulan, but he feels like a connective tissue that holds much of the story together. This isn’t that different from C-3PO, whose arc runs through all three Star Wars trilogies and makes him truly crucial to the story.
Captain Li Shang: Leia Organa
As Captain Li Shang, we have Leia Organa. While often referred to as Princess Leia, don’t forget that Leia Organa has been a key diplomatic figure, a Jedi, and a leader in war.
Not unlike Li Shang, Leia Organa had to overcome adversity while coming out from the shadow of her family and making her own legacy. Playing the role of Li Shang, she would be a fascinating inclusion to lead the attacks against the Hun Army and provide unique chemistry when placed beside Jyn Erso as Fa Mulan.
Chi-Fu: General Hux
While Chi-Fu is technically on the side of China throughout Mulan, he is never on the side of progress and is constantly causing problems for key characters. That makes the choice of General Hux so ideal, considering the interactions he had with Star Wars characters in the sequel trilogy.
Ling, Chien-Po, and Yao: Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and Han Solo
Last, but certainly not least, we have the trio of Ling, Chien-Po, and Yao who fight by the side of Fa Mulan and Captain Li Shang throughout the movie. No trio from Star Wars feels more perfect for them than Luke Skywalker (as Ling), Chewbacca (as Chien-Po), and Yao (as Han Solo).
While Luke Skywalker playing a character with significantly less prominence feels off at first, the pairing works perfectly considering their dynamic and the characters they’d be fighting with. Seeing them backing up Leia Organa as Captain Li Shang would be excellent, and their importance in the ultimate victory of Shan Yu can’t be overlooked.
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