Disney’s ‘Mulan’ has weak opening in China 

LOS ANGELES: Walt Disney Co’s live-action remake of “Mulan” pulled in $23.2 million over the weekend at box offices in China, a slow start for the big-budget epic about a Chinese folk hero in its most important theatrical market.

The debut for “Mulan” fell short of director Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” which grossed $29.8 million in China a week earlier. Unlike “Tenet,” “Mulan” was tailored to draw big audiences in the country.

But the film, which cost $200 million to produce, was hit by political controversy and received mixed reviews in China. 

“That’s a disappointing debut,” said Jeff Bock, senior media analyst at Exhibitor Relations Co. “Disney made this film for Chinese audiences and they saw it pretty much fall flat.”