Los Angeles, Aug 14 (IANS): Disney has released the first look at Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei in costume as the title character in its much-anticipated live-action film "Mulan".

Disney also revealed that production on the highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney's hit 1998 animated blockbuster "Mulan" has begun, reports dailymail.co.uk.

The Niki Caro-directed film is being shot on location in China and New Zealand. It is slated to release on March 27, 2020.

In the publicity shot, the star, also known as Crystal Liu, wears a red robe as she wields a large sword with an intense stare on her face.

The cast features Chinese actor Jet Li, actor and martial artist Donnie Yen, both 55, Jason Scott Lee, 51, and Chinese-Singaporean actress Gong Li, 52.

Choosing Yifei for the role of Mulan was part of a worldwide casting process that took over a year.

Yifei is no stranger to martial arts movies having been in 2008's "The Forbidden Kingdom" with Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Disney's hit animated version was released in 1998 and starred Ming-Na Wen as the voice of the brave Mulan with Eddie Murphy as the voice of her dragon Mushu.