Mulan 2 (2025) is the highly anticipated sequel to Disney’s live-action Mulan (2020), which offered a fresh take on the iconic story of the Chinese warrior. The first film reimagined the original 1998 animated classic, telling the tale of Mulan’s journey to become a warrior to protect her father, while also emphasizing themes of honor, duty, and self-discovery. While there has been no official confirmation of a sequel, Mulan 2 would likely continue the story of Mulan as she navigates new challenges, explores her role in a changing China, and further develops as both a hero and a leader.

Here’s a speculative look at what Mulan 2 (2025) could bring:

Story:

Mulan’s Return to Her Homeland:
- The film could start by exploring the aftermath of Mulan’s victory in the first film, where she proved herself as a formidable warrior and saved China. Mulan, now a hero, may return home to find that her journey is far from over. Her role in Chinese society and her family’s expectations could be key themes in the sequel. Her father may expect her to marry and settle down, while Mulan struggles with her desire to continue following her own path as a warrior and leader.
- There could be new political tensions, perhaps with neighboring kingdoms or unrest within China itself. Mulan could find herself thrust into another adventure that forces her to take up arms again, this time not just as a soldier, but as a key figure in the country’s future.
Mulan’s Leadership Journey:
- Following the events of the first film, Mulan’s character arc might focus on her evolution from a warrior into a leader. She could be tasked with training new soldiers, navigating court politics, or even becoming a part of China’s military leadership. This growth would explore her struggle to balance her responsibilities as a leader with her desire for independence and her personal journey.
- There may also be new, emerging conflicts that require Mulan to step into a leadership role, perhaps in the form of a rebellion, an invading force, or even internal strife within China’s ranks. The sequel could see Mulan facing dilemmas about loyalty, honor, and what it truly means to be a leader.
Romantic and Familial Dynamics:
- While the first film was relatively light on romance, Mulan 2 could expand on her relationship with Li Shang, the captain of the Imperial Army. Their bond was hinted at in the first film, and the sequel could explore their evolving relationship, as Mulan grapples with her idenтιтy as a warrior and her potential role as a partner.
- Additionally, the sequel could explore Mulan’s relationship with her family, especially her father. While he is proud of her, Mulan might still feel the weight of traditional expectations, especially as she faces new challenges in her post-war life. Themes of family, sacrifice, and duty could be explored further.
New Villains or Threats:
- Mulan 2 would likely introduce new antagonists for Mulan to face. These could be new warlords, political rivals, or threats from outside China, possibly drawing inspiration from actual historical events or figures. The villain could represent a challenge to Mulan’s growth, either by challenging her leadership, testing her abilities as a fighter, or undermining the progress China has made since the war.
- The new antagonist could also symbolize the changing dynamics of China, with traditional forces resisting the new world order that Mulan represents. This would be a perfect opportunity for Mulan to confront her inner conflicts about tradition versus progress.
The Role of Magic and Mythology:
- While the live-action Mulan (2020) downplayed the magical elements seen in the animated film, a sequel could reintroduce some elements of Chinese mythology and magic. Perhaps Mulan is called upon to face mystical creatures or confront a supernatural force tied to the ancient traditions of China. This could allow the film to incorporate elements of fantasy, while still maintaining the grounded, action-oriented style of the first film.
- The presence of the ancestors, seen in the animated film as spirits guiding Mulan, could also be revisited in the sequel, either as protectors or wise figures who help Mulan navigate her path.
Mulan’s Legacy:
- The film could explore Mulan’s legacy not only within her family but also within the larger context of Chinese society. As a hero who broke societal norms to protect her family and country, Mulan’s influence could extend to inspiring young women or soldiers. The sequel might show her as a symbol of empowerment and the changing roles of women in a patriarchal society.
- Mulan might face the responsibility of living up to her newfound status as a legend, and the pressures that come with being a role model in a world where traditional gender roles still hold sway.

Characters:

Mulan (Liu Yifei): Mulan’s character arc in the sequel will likely focus on her growth as a leader, warrior, and figurehead. She will be faced with personal and political challenges that force her to reconcile her desires with the duties expected of her.
Li Shang (Donnie Yen): The romantic interest from the first film, Li Shang’s role could evolve into a more complex one as Mulan navigates leadership and personal relationships. The dynamic between them could be tested by their individual goals, responsibilities, and the changing world around them.
Mulan’s Family: Mulan’s father, Fa Zhou, and her mother could return, offering guidance, wisdom, and emotional support as Mulan navigates her new life. Mulan’s bond with her family could be central to her decisions, especially as she finds herself torn between traditional values and her own path.
New Characters: The sequel could introduce new allies, soldiers, or figures from outside Mulan’s immediate circle. These new characters could include potential political rivals, fellow soldiers, or even historical figures who play important roles in shaping the direction of the story.
The Villain: A new villain could emerge, either from within China or beyond its borders, presenting a significant challenge to Mulan’s leadership and vision for the future.

Visual Style:

Like the first film, Mulan 2 will likely feature sweeping landscapes, beautiful cinematography, and stunning action sequences. The Chinese countryside, majestic palaces, and battlefields will provide a rich backdrop for the story, combining traditional Chinese architectural beauty with the grandeur of large-scale battle scenes.
The film may also incorporate elements of fantasy, such as magical creatures or ancient symbols, that blend with the historical setting.

Music:

The sequel will likely feature a strong, emotionally resonant score that continues the epic tone set by the first film. Expect orchestral music combined with traditional Chinese instruments to evoke the cultural setting of the film while enhancing the emotional moments of Mulan’s journey.

Tone:

Mulan 2 will likely balance action and emotional depth, with themes of self-discovery, leadership, family, and tradition. The film will likely be more mature, exploring the complexities of Mulan’s role in society, while still maintaining the thrilling action that fans of the first film appreciated.

Overall Expectations:

Mulan 2 (2025) promises to continue the story of one of Disney’s most iconic heroines, expanding on her journey and offering more thrilling action, complex character growth, and heartfelt emotional moments. With Mulan’s evolution from soldier to leader, the sequel could explore themes of empowerment, sacrifice, and tradition in a rapidly changing world. Fans of the first film can expect a continuation of Mulan’s legacy, with more exciting action, drama, and heart at its core.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.