Jon M. Chu is set to continue his prolific career with the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster film, Crazy Rich Asians. Following the original movie’s huge success, which grossed over $200 million on a modest $30 million budget, fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on its sequel.
Transition to a TV Series
After several production delays over the past seven years, HBO has decided to reimagine the sequel into a TV series format. In an interview with Esquire, Chu confirmed, “It’s a real thing. We have scripts, and we’re waiting to be officially ready to go.”
Story Inspiration
The upcoming series will likely draw inspiration from Kevin Kwan’s books, specifically the second installment, China Rich Girlfriend, published in 2015. Following that, plans include adapting the third book, Rich People Problems, released in 2017.
Original Plans and Production Changes
Originally, the sequels were intended to be filmed back-to-back as part of a trilogy beginning in 2020. However, these plans faced revisions, leading to the decision to pivot into a television series instead. Screenwriters Adele Lim and Peter Chiarelli had initially been involved but were later replaced by Amy Wang due to pay disputes. As of February, Lim is back as the official showrunner.
Character Development
Chu acknowledged the challenges of adapting the narrative for the series, noting the character developments diverged significantly from the books. He stated, “It’s hard to do the continuation of the books because our characters changed so much in the first movie.” Despite this, he believes there is ample opportunity to find rich storytelling within the novel’s themes.
Potential Cast and Future Directions
The original film featured a star-studded cast, including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Ronny Chieng, Jimmy O. Yang, and Ken Jeong. While no cast members have been confirmed for the new series, Chu is optimistic about their return, stating, “When the day comes, our cast will be there.”
Additional Projects
- Wicked: For Good – scheduled for release later this year
- Hot Wheels – under development
- Brittany Spears Biopic – in planning
- Split Fiction – a project featuring Sydney Sweeney
- Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – adaptation in progress
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – adaptation is in the works
Chu’s enthusiasm and diverse portfolio suggest that the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians will not only build on its predecessor’s legacy but also open new avenues for storytelling within the franchise.
