Veteran Chinese actor Jet Li will be gracing the silver screen later this month as the emperor in Disney's latest live-action flick "Mulan".

Doesn't enjoy playing emperors

But according to Li, he doesn't enjoy playing the role of an emperor.

In an email interview with Shin Min Daily News (SMDN), Li said that his costume was so cumbersome and uncomfortable that he could not move in it.

"I really want to know why people want to be emperors. I prefer to be free and unrestrained!"

Li told the Chinese paper that his costume was about six layers thick, and he needed many people to help him put it on layer by layer.

"The costume designer did a wonderful job, my emperor robes were very grand. But please don't try it on because it is very heavy!"

Li also said that he took up this role because of his daughter Jada, who is 18 years old.

Li told SMDN that he initially did not want to take up the role. But when Jada heard about it, she asked him three questions.

"She asked if I felt proud that Chinese culture could be shared with the world. I didn't disagree. I do like to share Chinese culture with the world. Then she asked if I was lacking money. I replied that I wasn't really lacking."

Apparently, Jada thought that Li didn't want to take up the role because he didn't think it paid enough.

Jada then added that Disney is investing a lot of money into shooting a Chinese story, with a [predominantly] Chinese main cast. She then asked, isn't that promotion Chinese culture?

"I was dumbfounded when I heard it," Li told SMDN. At the encouragement of his daughter, Li took on the role.

English dialogue was a challenge

Heavy costume aside, Li also told SMDN that his English lines were particularly challenging. He said that speaking English is not easy for him and he is too lazy to learn it or any other foreign language.

"Hence, I am very grateful for the dialogue practice I had. It really helped me," he said.

He added that Niki Caro, the director, is a warm, courteous, and friendly person who was not difficult with with even though his English is not good.

Liu Yifei, who plays Hua Mulan, gave a great performance as well, said Li.

"Mulan" will be released in Singapore on Mar. 26, 2020.

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Top images via Jet Li/Weibo, Disney.