A still from the Disney animated filmMulan. [Photo/Agencies]

Ever since Disney announced plans to develop a live-action version of their hit animated film Mulan, possible casting choices have sparked discussions among fans both in China and abroad.

Many fans are concerned the studio will give into a history of "whitewashing" when casting roles for its live-action adaptation of its films.

Internet user Natalie Molnar, a children's librarian and also a member of the popular social media website Care2, initiated a petition titled "Tell Disney You Don't Want A Whitewashed Mulan!" to prevent this from happening. So far, the thread has received 38,338 signatures.

"Disney just announced it will develop a live-action Mulanfilm. Take a stand against whitewashing in our media. Sign this petition to tell Disney that we demand to see them cast an Asian Mulan!

Mulan was based on a Chinese legend, the story of Fa Mu Lan, in which a young girl disguises herself as a man to serve as a soldier in the battle against Genghis Khan. The character, story, and fans deserve the best retelling of the story Disney can produce, and although the film was only announced March 30, this disturbing trend of whitewashing in big-budget movies can't get a chance to take root in Mulanas well, and if any company can afford to 'risk' adapting a beloved story with a cast of POCs (refering to People of Color, a term used primarily in the United States to describe any person who is not white), it's Disney," read the petition.