Chinese actress Liu Yifei cast as Mulan

— -- Chinese actress Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, has been cast to play Mulan in an upcoming live-action film, Disney announced Wednesday.

The movie will be based on the 1998 animated film about a woman in fifth-century China who disguises herself to take her father's place in the army. Niki Caro will direct.

A release date has not been given.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news, Liu was hired at the end of a yearlong, worldwide search that involved a team of casting directors visiting five continents and interviewing nearly 1,000 candidates for the part.

The publication reported that Liu, reportedly 30, is nicknamed "Fairy Sister" by the Chinese public because of her sweet image. She has served as spokeswoman for Dior, Garnier, Tissot and Pantene, and has appeared in films including "The Forbidden Kingdom," "Outcast" and "Once Upon a Time."

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