“ | When they find out who you are, they will show you no mercy. | „ |
~ Xianniang confronting Mulan. |
Xianniang is the secondary antagonist of the 2020 Disney live-action film Mulan, a remake of the 1998 animated film of the same name.
She was a powerful witch who wanted love and acceptance from society, but the public stigma against witches led to her being an outcast once word of her witchcraft spread. Seeking vengeance against the people who mocked her, she fought alongside Bori Khan as his second-in-command in his goal to invade China, although she later aided Mulan in leading her to where Bori Khan has captured the emperor and sacrificed herself to save Mulan. Xian takes the place of Hayabusa the Falcon in the animated film.
She was portrayed by Gong Li, who also played Baigujing in The Monkey King 2 and Hatsumomo in Memoirs of a Geisha.
Biography
Xianniang is a powerful female witch who has the ability to shapeshift into a falcon. She can also possess people and shapeshift into those she possesses. She fights alongside Bori Khan in his goal to invade China. Like Mulan, Xianniang has a very strong chi, however hers is unbalanced giving her great powers.
Impersonating the Emperor's chancellor, she convinces China to gather troops to fight the northern invaders and lead them into traps. One such battle she took part in was in a valley against Commander Tung's unit. During the conflict, she learns that Mulan is actually a woman and comes into direct conflict with her, taunting her about her false identity.
When Mulan is forced to leave the army, Xianniang tells her of the imminent attack on the Imperial City. As Mulan leads the army to rescue the Emperor, she confronts Mulan in the throne room of the Palace. Admiring the way Mulan leads the army while staying true to herself, Xianniang sacrifices herself to protect Mulan from Böri Khan's arrow and dies in Mulan's arms.
Personality
Xianniang at first appears sadistic, evil, and perfectly loyal to Böri Khan, willing to do anything he or his warriors tell her to do (occasionally acting somewhat romantic with him). However, she is shown to truly feel bad because she is not accepted by anyone for her powers except for Böri Khan, which is why she acts so loyal to him. However, she is not evil, as when she realizes he is using her she grows to respect Mulan and decides to take her side, showing a loyal and even kind side to her when she sacrifices herself for Mulan.
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