LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Disney's live-action remake of the legend of a Chinese woman warrior, "Mulan", has started production, the company announced Monday.

Hua Mulan, according to legend, lived in a tumultuous era of Chinese history more than 1,400 years ago. She disguised herself as a man so that she could serve in the army in place of her aged father.

Liu Yifei, 30, got the title role following a year-long global casting, with Gong Li as a powerful, dangerous witch, and Jet Li as the emperor of China.

Disney also unveiled the first image from the film, showing Liu Yifei armed with a sword.

Disney released the animated version of Mulan in 1998 to favorable reviews and it became one of the highest-grossing films worldwide that year.

The new version will hit U.S. theaters in March 2020.