It took a year-long global search and nearly 1,000 candidates, but Walt Disney Studios has found its Mulan. Chinese actress Liu Yifei has been cast as the star of a live-action reboot of the popular 1998 Disney animated film, and many fans in the US say they are pleased to see the Asian actress selected for a leading role given Hollywood's long struggle with diversity. Patrice Howard reports from Los Angeles.

Disney's Mulan tells the story of a young Chinese woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army. Two decades after its initial release, this animated classic is getting a live action remake - with Chinese actress Liu Yifei in the title role. In China, the casting choice was met with celebration.

"I think this is something great for China. I think this is a very good thing and something for us the Chinese people to be proud of."

"Here in the US, many Mulan fans were relieved to see an Asian actress picked for the leading role - given a number of Hollywood films have come under fire recently for whitewashing or casting white actors in Asian roles."

Examples include Scarlett Johansson's leading role in a remake of the Japanese anime "Ghost in the Shell," and Emma Stone playing a partially Chinese character in "Aloha." When the live-action Mulan was announced, a viral online campaign and petition called on executives to choose an Asian actress for the lead. Some industry experts say Disney has a better record than some production companies.

SCOTT ERIKSSON, TALENT MANAGER ASIAN CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT "Disney and Nickelodeon both have been very impressive with their teen programming and the diversity of it and hiring Asian Americans and there have been times when I've been like whoa!"

Scott Eriksson co-founded Asian Cinema Entertainment as a means to develop projects featuring Asian American actors. He says more studio executives would be wise to follow Disney's lead - and cast characters who are best suited for the role, race aside.

SCOTT ERIKSSON, TALENT MANAGER ASIAN CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT "Diversity is good for business because you are taking your films and you expect to make big money overseas probably more in overseas countries than you are in Hollywood. Everybody wants to see themselves and relate to themselves in film."

Disney Pixar's recent animated hit "Coco" broke new ground as the first Pixar film to feature a minority character in the lead role. The live-action Mulan will be Disney's follow up attempt at a culturally conscious film - one with casting that seems to already reflect the diverse story playing out. Patrice Howard CGTN Los Angeles.