Editing Mulan (Disney character) (section)

=== Voice ===
[[File:Ming-Na Wen by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|Actress [[Ming-Na Wen]] voiced Mulan in both animated films.|alt=A close-up portrait of Mulan's voice actress, Ming-Na Wen, at a conference.]]
Mulan's speaking voice is provided by actress [[Ming-Na Wen]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/27/14-disney-princesses-and-the-actresses-who-voiced-them/photo/mulan/|title = 13 Disney Princesses – and the Actresses Who Voiced Them|date = November 27, 2013|magazine = Time|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Mayer|first = Jeffrey|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310084558/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/27/14-disney-princesses-and-the-actresses-who-voiced-them/photo/mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Because the character "represented [traditional] Chinese values" and is depicted as being "dramatic ... close to her father, very respectful," Bancroft believed that Wen possessed the "perfect" voice for Mulan, which he additionally described as "very Chinese."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://animatedviews.com/2008/tony-bancroft-balances-the-yin-and-the-yang-in-directing-mulan/|title = Tony Bancroft balances the yin and the yang in directing Mulan|publisher = Animated Views|access-date = February 24, 2014|date = August 14, 2008|last = Noyer|first = Jérémie|archive-date = February 27, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227144729/http://animatedviews.com/2008/tony-bancroft-balances-the-yin-and-the-yang-in-directing-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Born and raised in [[Macau, China]], Wen was familiar with both the legend of Hua Mulan and the ''Ballad of Mulan ''at the time of her audition for the role, having grown up being read the poem by her mother. Wen explained, "I think every Chinese kid grows up with this story," additionally likening the poem's popularity in China to that of the Western [[Parson Weems]] fable in which American president [[George Washington]] [[Mason Locke Weems#Cherry-tree anecdote|chops down his father's beloved cherry tree]].<ref name=":5" />

Mulan served as Wen's first voice-acting role. In an interview with [[IGN]], the actress elaborated on the recording process, specifically the fact that she was required to record the majority of the character's dialogue in isolation, saying, "I just loved the story so much and identified so much with the character of Mulan it was easy for me. I loved using my imagination. I felt like I was a little kid again, being silly with an imaginary sword and riding on an imaginary horse and talking to an imaginary dragon. So it was a lot of fun for me."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/27/an-interview-with-ming-na|title = An Interview with Ming-Na|date = October 27, 2004|website = IGN|last = Patrizio|first = Andy|access-date = February 24, 2014|archive-date = February 24, 2014|archive-url = https://archive.today/20140224060012/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/10/27/an-interview-with-ming-na|url-status = live}}</ref> In spite of the fact that, throughout the film, Mulan shares multiple scenes with her guardian, a miniature [[Chinese dragon]] named [[Mushu (Mulan)|Mushu]] who is voiced by American actor and comedian [[Eddie Murphy]], Wen and her co-star never actually encountered each other while working on ''Mulan ''due to the fact that they recorded their respective dialogue at separate times in separate locations.<ref name=":5" />

Upon being cast as Mulan's speaking voice, Wen was informed by Disney that she would not be providing the character's singing voice. She took no offense to this decision, commenting jokingly "I don't blame them."<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.grouchoreviews.com/interviews/54|title = Ming-Na—Mulan—02/18/05|website = Groucho Reviews|publisher = Peter Canavese|date = May 18, 2002|access-date = February 24, 2014|last = Canavese|first = Peter|archive-date = March 2, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302084921/http://www.grouchoreviews.com/interviews/54|url-status = live}}</ref> The directors hired Filipina singer and actress [[Lea Salonga]] to provide Mulan's singing voice, heard in the film's songs "[[Reflection (Mulan song)|Reflection]]", "[[I'll Make a Man Out of You]]" and "[[Mulan (1998 soundtrack)|A Girl Worth Fighting For]]".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/mulan-mw0000040235|title = Original Soundtrack – Mulan|access-date = March 11, 2014|website = AllMusic|last = Erlewine|first = Stephen|archive-date = September 25, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925024103/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mulan-mw0000040235|url-status = live}}</ref> According to Thomas S. Hischak, author of the book ''[[Disney Voice Actors: a Biographical Dictionary|Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary]]'', Salonga was originally cast to provide both Mulan's speaking and singing voices.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary|last = Hischak|first = Thomas S.|publisher = McFarland & Company|isbn = 978-0-7864-6271-1|location = United States|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=e1RTP8thtR0C&pg=PA186|page = 186|access-date = February 24, 2014|publication-date = November 19, 2011|chapter = Salonga, Lea|date = 2011-09-21}}</ref> However, the directors eventually felt that her attempt at impersonating a man in the form of Mulan's male alter-ego "Ping" was rather unconvincing, and ultimately replacing Salonga with Wen.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/10/01/disney-53-mulan/|title = Disney 53: Mulan|date = October 1, 2013|website = The Hollywood News|access-date = March 10, 2014|last = Burch|first = Richard|archive-date = March 10, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140310133709/http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/10/01/disney-53-mulan/|url-status = live}}</ref> Six years prior to ''Mulan'', Salonga provided the singing voice of [[Jasmine (Aladdin)|Jasmine]] in Disney's ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' (1992) on behalf of American actress [[Linda Larkin]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.backstage.com/interview/lea-salonga-her-own-rules/|title = Lea Salonga: Her Own Rules|website = Backstage|date = October 24, 2001|access-date = February 27, 2014|last = Talley|first = Lori|archive-date = August 14, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160814112331/http://www.backstage.com/interview/lea-salonga-her-own-rules/|url-status = live}}</ref> While auditioning for Mulan, Salonga asked jokingly, "Why do I have to audition? ... I was already a princess before. Wasn't that enough?"<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2004/11/23/Analysis-Avoiding-Hollywood-stereotypes/UPI-95011101225643/|title = Analysis: Avoiding Hollywood stereotypes|website = United Press International|date = November 23, 2004|access-date = February 24, 2014|last = Nason|first = Pat|archive-date = August 27, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827121320/http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2004/11/23/Analysis-Avoiding-Hollywood-stereotypes/UPI-95011101225643/|url-status = live}}</ref>