Daily News Bytes: Disney Casts Mulan, Lasseter Scandal Unfolds, & More

Liu Yifei to Star in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Mulan’
The multitalented actress, musician and singer also known as Crystal Liu seems the perfect choice to lead the film, which will blend inspirations from the 1998 animated feature and the classic Chinese ballad. Liu has recently appeared in Pearl Harbor drama The Chinese Widow, action flick Ip Man 3 and supernatural detective adventure Lawless Kingdom. The new Mulan is being directed by Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife, Whale Rider).

Fresh Details Emerge of John Lasseter’s Behavior, Quetions Arise About How Much Disney Knew
Per Deadline: “There’s evidence Disney may well have been aware of troubling behavior on the part of the digital animation pioneer. Indeed the Pixar co-founder attended some wrap parties with a handler to ensure he would not engage in inappropriate conduct with women, say two people with direct knowledge of the situation.” … The House of Mouse may need to be renamed Monsters, Inc.

Animator Joan Gratz Embraces Technology to Create Her Newest Films
OPB’s Katrina Sarson talks to the Portland “clay painting” animator on the evolution of her technique, from Oscar winning short Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase (1992) through commissioned work to her recent works Puffer Girl and Primal Flux.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Visegrad Animation Forum
The 6th edition of CEE’s leading animation pitch event is seeking in-development projects in the Short Film (< 20 min.) and Series/TV Specials (web/TV formats and films over 20 mins.) Deadline: January 31, 2018. The event is slated for May 1-3 in Trebon, Czech Republic.

WINNERS: Royal Television Society Craft and Design Awards 2017
The Effects – Digital award went to the crew of One of Us for their work on The Crown (Netflix), and the team of Rob Heath, John Cryer, Shizuka Hata & Rachel Warr scored the Trails & Packaging prize for their animated, silhouette puppet-inspired work for Film4’s “Film Fear” event.

Liu Yifei