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| The "Crazy Rich Asians" cast at the movie's premiere in 2018. |
The bad news? The decision to pursue a a TV series may dampen the possibility of a movie sequel.
It has been six years since the groundbreaking movie busted Asian steretotypes and broke open the doors for more Hollywood studio-backed movies for Asian and Asian American actors and storylines.
“I don’t know if it’s in lieu of a sequel but it felt clear that every character we wanted to explore needed more room and just a movie wasn’t doing it for us. We got to bring Adele back into the fold and so we’re starting this now, it’s going to be fun.”
In the article, Chu noted that a television series would allow the multitude of characters from the movie could be fleshed out.
“I don’t know if it’s in lieu of a sequel but it felt clear that every character we wanted to explore needed more room and just a movie wasn’t doing it for us,” the director revealed.
"I always promised the cast, I will not bring them back unless we get a script that’s better and has as much urgency as the first movie," he told the publication, adding that at the moment, "we just haven’t gotten there yet."
The Crazy Rich Asians romantic comedy opened the eyes of studio decision makers. Before CRA became a critical and commercial success, the belief in Hollywood was that no one would go see a movie with an Asian theme with an all-Asian cast. It was entertaining but all the while, breaking down stereotypes with multi-dimensional and complicated characters.
The TV spinoff of Crazy Rich Asians was ordered by Max, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's early in production but it has a good start by bringing in Jon M. Chu, who directed the movie, and Adele Lim, who helped write the film's script providing invaluable cultural input.
Chu, is also executive producer for the series, told The Hollywood Reporter:
“I don’t know if it’s in lieu of a sequel but it felt clear that every character we wanted to explore needed more room and just a movie wasn’t doing it for us. We got to bring Adele back into the fold and so we’re starting this now, it’s going to be fun.”
Lim was in the middle of controversy when it was learned that her co-writer, Peter Chiarelli, was being paid substantially more than she was earning. Because of the inequality, Lim refused to work on the screenplay of the planned sequel, which was suuposed to be based on the second book of Kwan's trilogy.
In the article, Chu noted that a television series would allow the multitude of characters from the movie could be fleshed out.
“I don’t know if it’s in lieu of a sequel but it felt clear that every character we wanted to explore needed more room and just a movie wasn’t doing it for us,” the director revealed.
The success of the movie also delayed work on the sequel. Chu became heavy in demand as director of Hollywood musicals working on In the Heights, and the two movies of Wicked and has been dubbed to helm the upcoming project Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Some of the lead actors have been so busy it puts into question of their availability for the series or the sequel.
Michelle Yeo, who played the matriarch of an uber-rich Singaporean family, was deluged with work in the Star Trek: Discovery series and its spinoff Star Trek: Section 31. Everywhere one turned Yeo had a new movie prmiering topped with Everything, Everywhere All At Once, which won a Best Picture Oscar earned Yeo an Academy Award as Best Actress. She reunited with Jon Chu for Wicked and starred in Avatar 3, Haunting Venice and others.
Many of the actors had their careers kick off because of their roles in Crazy Rich Asians. Awkwafina, who played the best friend of Constance Wu's charactar Constance, got a TV series of her own, Nora from Queens and a lead role in another Asian theme and Asian cast, Farewell, for which she praise for her dramatic debut, a contrast to the comedic roles for she is best known; Shang-Chi and the Legend of 10 Rings; and a host of toher projects includng: Oceans Eight, Jackpot, and a host of voice wor on animated features.
Henry Golding, who was among the men in CRA that busted the stereotype of sexless Asian, ganrered another romantic leading role in Last Christmas opposite Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke and A Simple Favor with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick, an in the atmospheric Monsoon played a Vietnamese man returning to the country of his parents. He starred in action movies such as Snake Eyes and The Gentlemen.
In an exclusive interview, Golding told ETonline.com that he would love to work on the sequel or the series. “We’ll see. I think they’re sort of figuring it out—very, very early stages. That’s what I know, to be honest."
Gemma Chan, who played a supporting role in CRA as the beautiful wife of a businessman, was supposed to have a more prominent role in the sequel. Because of of CRA's breakout opportunity, she has been busy. Chan’s subsequent roles included in Mary, Queen of Scots and Minn-Erva in the Marvel film Captain Marvel. and Sersi in Eternals. She had roles in Don’t Worry, Darling and The Creator. She also provided the voice for the warrior princess Namaari in Disney's animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon.
Harry Shum Jr., who was supposed to play opposite Gemma Chan in the CRA sequel is in his second season in Grey's Anatomy; Sonoya Mizuno secured a recurring role in Game of Thrones spinoff The House of the Dragon; Ken Jeong is a favorite in the TV reality competition The Masked Singer; Ronny Chieng is currently on tour but is a regular in The Daily Show.
Jon M Chu, 45, has maintained his ties with the author Kwan. Together, they are working on a Broadway musical of Crazy Rich Asians.
Chu still retains hope that a sequel will eventually come about.
In November last year, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he was willing to make a Crazy Rich Asians 2 if the opportunity arises and the original cast members are available.
In an exclusive interview, Golding told ETonline.com that he would love to work on the sequel or the series. “We’ll see. I think they’re sort of figuring it out—very, very early stages. That’s what I know, to be honest."
Gemma Chan, who played a supporting role in CRA as the beautiful wife of a businessman, was supposed to have a more prominent role in the sequel. Because of of CRA's breakout opportunity, she has been busy. Chan’s subsequent roles included in Mary, Queen of Scots and Minn-Erva in the Marvel film Captain Marvel. and Sersi in Eternals. She had roles in Don’t Worry, Darling and The Creator. She also provided the voice for the warrior princess Namaari in Disney's animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon.
Harry Shum Jr., who was supposed to play opposite Gemma Chan in the CRA sequel is in his second season in Grey's Anatomy; Sonoya Mizuno secured a recurring role in Game of Thrones spinoff The House of the Dragon; Ken Jeong is a favorite in the TV reality competition The Masked Singer; Ronny Chieng is currently on tour but is a regular in The Daily Show.
Jon M Chu, 45, has maintained his ties with the author Kwan. Together, they are working on a Broadway musical of Crazy Rich Asians.
Chu still retains hope that a sequel will eventually come about.
In November last year, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he was willing to make a Crazy Rich Asians 2 if the opportunity arises and the original cast members are available.
"I always promised the cast, I will not bring them back unless we get a script that’s better and has as much urgency as the first movie," he told the publication, adding that at the moment, "we just haven’t gotten there yet."
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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