Nissan spokeswoman and Captain Marvel actor Brie Larson and Jungle Cruise actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are facing a social media backlash for their support of Disney’s Mulan remake.
Larson took to Twitter to express her support for the film writing, “I cannot wait to see this movie. Every trailer has made me burst into tears.”
I cannot wait to see this movie. Every trailer has made me burst into tears. https://t.co/raErkn81Yj
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) March 5, 2020
Following this tweet, Larson would be faced with significant backlash from Hong Kong protestors and their supporters, who previously called for a boycott of the film after Mulan actor Liu Yifei showed support for communist China’s crackdown against them.
HKCivilWar2019 wrote, “I couldn’t express enough how disappointed in the lack of political sense from Disney & Marvel Studio actors nowadays. Personally been a MCU fan since the absolute beginnings with the first Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton up to the most recent Far From Home.”
I couldn’t express enough how disappointed in the lack of political sense from Disney & Marvel Studio actors nowadays. Personally been a MCU fan since the absolute beginnings with the first Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton up to the most recent Far From Home.
— I’m….Hong Konger! (@HKCivilWar2019) March 8, 2020
Fight4HongKong wrote, “You know what makes Hong Kongers burst into tears every night? Hong Kong police brutality, a human rights violations that Mulan lead actress Liu Yifei openly supports. Boycott Mulan.
You know what makes Hong Kongers burst into tears every night?#HKPoliceBrutality, a #HumanRightsViolations that #Mulan lead actress #LiuYifei openly supports.#BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/PGz2SyS590
— #SOSHK Fight for Hong Kong (@Fight4HongKong) March 8, 2020
Others added their own criticisms of Larson’s support for the film.
So am I, even time I see Mulan will make me think of how HKPolice were beating the teens in Hong Kong😭 pic.twitter.com/UywnYQ3JwM
— 小白鼠先生😷 (@shiroihamusan) March 7, 2020
HK police brutality caused great harm to us. Young people take to the street fighting for freedom & democracy for Hong Kong future, but they are beat brutally by police, some of them are injured, died & missing. Sorry, we can’t support Mulan played by human rights abuse supporter pic.twitter.com/4zOxcDnrgR
— Wendyli (@Wendyli17111480) March 8, 2020
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that’s what happened today. a gun pointing to an elderly which have no possible threat to anyone. This Mulan supports hk police, and u see you cant wait to see this movie starring a supporter of autocracy? #BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/yGub9VmMZW
— jojo (@jojo33525315) March 8, 2020
Yes,I also burst into tears since she choose to support #HongKongPolice pic.twitter.com/82hhl6SttE
— Small ken (@Smallken3) March 7, 2020
I loved captain marvel but this comment disgusted me.
How about female Hong Kong protesters standing up against the police brutality??
Did those footages made you burst into tears?#BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/XLn7b3exSE
— queenharlry (@queenharlry) March 7, 2020
I’m so torn. I was so hyped about this film, then this happened. I think about ethical consumerism a lot & every day it seems more&more impossible. I still want to see the movie but I know a part of me will feel guilty. 😔https://t.co/9ljbseHlRV
— Erika Florita (@ErikaFlorita) March 5, 2020
I burst into tears too after seeing how the old guy 👇was assaulted and tortured.
The assaulters were who Liu Yifei supports – Hong Kong Police. I dont make any political comments here but clearly this is a wrong casting for a great plot. #BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/JcsQMpCEP2
— Bosco Wong 🤚😷 (@BoscoWo42122490) March 7, 2020
As a Chinese, I also don’t support Mulan. Mulan is a woman with a sense of justice in history, but this actress is not the same. #BoycottMulan #Mulan #Disney #disneyworld #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/yzseHk85Nx
— kaiyanchen (@kaiyanchen1208) March 6, 2020
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who stars in Disney’s upcoming Jungle Cruise film also showed support for Mulan.
He wrote on Twitter, “Been waiting for this one! Pumped to see it! Great job team Asad Ayaz.”
Been waiting for this one! Pumped to see it! Great job team @asadayaz
https://t.co/uwfVfPlEyl— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 5, 2020
The Rock would face similar criticisms to Larson.
Thank you for your recommendation . Indeed it may be a wonderful but I don’t not go to watch it .The actresses they support Hong Kong Police
— 靜悄悄來訪ADeernight(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞🦌🌌家鄉 (@Sunnigh63878364) March 6, 2020
No way! #Mulan #BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/8Z2N6zSHaY
— 😷Hong Kong World City 🖐🏻☔️ (@HKWORLDCITY) March 7, 2020
No Mushu, no Li Shang, no songs, Disney even cut out a kiss scene b/c China doesn’t like it
Nah, won’t waste money n time on ithttps://t.co/IlHXlffJbL— WW ANN😷 (@ann_ann721831) March 6, 2020
However, the lead actress supports police brutality for the Communist China.
I will #BoycottMulan to stand with human rights.“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ” – Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/9J8QpeOZhN
— Michelle Poon😷 (@poonm612) March 6, 2020
guess you would love it too, what she supports. pic.twitter.com/Yjdd3nTwy9
— Je suis toujours en colère (@Arsenic_L) March 7, 2020
The actress supports police brutality and the oppression of Hong Kong people, so no thanks. #BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/Yp0M70r94T
— JC (@hcc_jc) March 6, 2020
Shame about the main actress being dismissive of human rights and supporting the police brutality of the CCP
— Levi Gratton (@LeviGratton) March 5, 2020
Just let you know Liu is supporting police brutality towards young people in Hong Kong😟
Supporting human right abusers and dictatorship is not something a celebrity to do😟😟😟— Tree Titan ⚠️#AOT 127 (@Treerisu) March 6, 2020
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Interest in the Mulan seemed to be flagging until recently.
Box Office Pro recently boosted their opening weekend box office forecast for Mulan. Their current prediction sees the film earning $65 million at the domestic box office opening weekend and $185 million total.
Their previous prediction had Mulan only opening to the tune of $48 million and only grossing $138 million total. Box Office Pro says the massive increase in their prediction is due to “significant gains in pre-release tracking thanks to a steady marketing campaign early in the year, although we continue to monitor eventual reviews and audience reception given previsouly mixed online sentiment.”
Even the recently updated prediction from Box Office Pro is still quite low compared to The Hollywood Reporter’s prediction of $85 million. Deadline also predicts the film will have an $85 million opening.
What do you make of this backlash against Brie Larson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for their support of Mulan? Will you be watching Mulan?