Niki Caro in talks to direct 'Mulan'

Los Angeles, Feb 16 (IANS) Niki Caro is in talks to direct Disney's live-action film "Mulan".

Caro of "The Zookeeper's Wife" fame, is in talks with officials at the studio about leading its stellar cast in the upcoming adaptation of the animated classic of the same name, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

If she accepts the role, the 49-year-old film director will become the second woman at the studio to direct a movie budgeted over $100 million.

However, she wasn't the only woman who had been approached to direct "Mulan" as "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins and Michelle MacLaren were also in with the chance of landing the job.

The officials are keeping details of the adaption under wraps but it is believed it will be "more nuanced and elaborate" than the original movie, which starred Ming-Na Wen as lead character Fa Mulan and Eddie Murphy as small dragon Mushu.

The film is slated to hit cinemas on November 2 next year.

Disney is on the lookout for a Chinese actress to play the main character.

"Mulan" told the story of the daughter of an old warrior who disguises herself as a man to take her dad's place in the army and fight at war alongside her dragon pal and protector Mushu.