The live-action 'Mulan' has a clever nod to a fan-favorite character from the animated movie

kacuna@insider.com (Kirsten Acuna)
·2 min read
mulan liu yifei
"Mulan" is now available to purchase on Disney Plus and in some theaters.

Jasin Boland/Disney

  • Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for Disney's live-action "Mulan."

  • Don't expect to see fan favorites Mushu and Cri-Kee the cricket in the new movie.

  • However, the new film honors the character with a human soldier by the name of Cricket.

  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Mulan's animal friends Mushu and Cri-Kee don't make an appearance in Disney's new live-action adaptation. But the film does introduce a new character that honors Mulan's pet cricket.

When Mulan joins the army in place of her father, she meets a group of men — Ling, Pao, and Po — just like in the animated film. Two more characters are added. Honghui, who fills in for Li Shang, and a young man named Cricket.

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Cricket can be seen in a press photo released for "Mulan."

Jasin Boland/Disney

He tells the others he was named Cricket as a good luck charm. The moment is a big wink and nod to fans of the original 1998 film.

In the animated movie, Mulan's grandmother gives Cri-Kee the cricket to her as a good luck charm ahead of her session with the matchmaker.

mulan cri-kee
Here's Cri-Kee in 1998's "Mulan."

Disney

Cri-Kee becomes one of Mulan's two sidekicks as she rides off to war.

While the new movie doesn't contain Mushu, the character is replaced by a non-speaking phoenix who serves as Mulan's spirit guide when she gets lost.

You can follow along with our coverage of "Mulan" here. The movie is now streaming on Disney Plus for an additional $29.99 in the US.

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