Director Jan de Bont (Speed) has been tapped to helm Mulan starring Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as the title character.  The story is based on 6th century poem and centers on  legendary female Chinese warrior Hua Mulan who joined the all-male army.  The tale of Mulan was most-famously adapted in 1998 with the animated Disney film of the same name.  While THR lists a variety of supporting roles that are currently being cast, there’s no mention of a wise-cracking dragon sidekick.

The English-language production is set to begin filming in Shanghai this fall.  It is de Bont’s first film since 2003’s abysmal Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.  Ziyi’s last English-language film was 2009’s Horsemen.