Kiwi actor Yoson An cast in Disney's Mulan remake

Kiwi actor Yoson An will play the role of Chen Honghui in Disney's live-action Mulan remake. Photo / Andi Crown

New Zealand actor Yoson An has won a key love-interest role in Disney's live-action remake of the 1998 animated film, Mulan.

Slated to begin shooting in New Zealand and China in August, the film is also directed by a Kiwi, Niki Caro.

The movie follows the story of Hua Mulan (played by Liu Yifei), a young woman who disguises herself as a man so she can take the place of her ageing father when he's conscripted into the military.

According to a casting call notice for the movie circulating online, An's character, Chen Honghui, is a cocky, handsome army recruit who initially sees Mulan as a rival. On discovering she is a woman however, his feelings towards her change.

Wait a hot second, why is Captain Li Shang being replaced by this dude in the new #Mulan. First no music, now this. Grrr pic.twitter.com/tE17hM1G7p

— Jo-Anne Rowney (@JoAnne_Rowney) March 19, 2017

Other cast members include Donnie Yen, who's playing Commander Tung; and Jet Li, as the emperor of China.

Elsewhere, An has a role in the upcoming blockbuster Mortal Engines and appeared in the HBO Asia series, Grace. He was also a recurring cast member in season 3 of the New Zealand comedy web series, Flat3.

Mulan is set to be released in March 2020.