WHALE RIDER’s Niki Caro Will Direct Disney’s Live-Action MULAN

Here's some exciting breaking news from the Hollywood Reporter:

Niki Caro, who broke through with the 2002 Maori family drama Whale Rider, will direct Disney’s live-action Mulan...

In an industry where female-helmed tentpoles are still rare, Caro will be the second woman at the studio to direct a movie budgeted at over $100 million (Ava DuVernay is the first, with A Wrinkle in Time).

So, first of all, good on Disney for bringing in a female director on Mulan. Double-plus-good on Disney for bringing in Caro, whose Whale Rider is one helluva movie; a live-action Mulan adaptation seems like something she'd absolutely knock out of the park.

Interestingly enough, The Hollywood Reporter names two other female directors who were considered for the gig, Patty Jenkins (the upcoming Wonder Woman) and Michelle MacLaren (Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead). We're particularly excited about Caro taking the job, but we're also excited to hear these other names being bandied about for such high profile gigs. Who knows? Maybe one of 'em (*coughMichelleMacLarencough*) will end up directing Captain Marvel!

At this time, there's nothing further to report in terms of casting or when filming might begin, but we'll keep you up to date as that information rolls in. In the meantime: how you guys feeling about Caro for this gig? Excited? Not so much? Are you one of those "I'm tired of live-action Disney remake" types? Make your voice heard in the comments below.