Highlights
- The highly anticipated Crazy Rich Asians sequel is officially moving forward, but it has been reimagined as an HBO series instead of a feature film.
- Director Jon M. Chu confirms that scripts are complete and expressed confidence that the original star-studded cast will return for the new project.
- The series will draw inspiration from Kevin Kwan’s subsequent novels, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, though the story will deviate to align with the character developments from the first film.
- After years of production delays and changes in the writing team, the sequel is finally on track with Adele Lim, the original film’s screenwriter, returning as showrunner.
Seven years after Crazy Rich Asians became a cultural phenomenon and a box office smash, fans who have been desperately awaiting a sequel are finally getting their wish—but with a major twist. Director Jon M. Chu has confirmed that the story of Rachel Chu and Nick Young will continue not on the big screen, but as a series for HBO.
From Film Trilogy to HBO Series
The journey for the sequel has been a long and complicated one. The initial plan was to film the next two books in Kevin Kwan’s trilogy, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, back-to-back as a film trilogy in 2020. However, the project was stalled by significant production delays, including a highly publicized pay dispute that led to original screenwriter Adele Lim’s departure.
Now, the project has been revived in a new format. “It’s a real thing,” Chu recently told Esquire. “We have scripts, and we’re waiting to be officially ready to go.” Lim is also back on board as the official showrunner, signaling a promising new direction for the beloved franchise.
What About the Original Cast?
One of the biggest questions on every fan’s mind is whether the incredible ensemble cast, including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, and Awkwafina, will return. While no official casting announcements have been made, Chu is optimistic. When asked about their return, he stated confidently, “our cast will be there.”
A New Story Inspired by the Books
The HBO series will use Kwan’s novels as a foundation, but don’t expect a direct page-to-screen adaptation. Chu explained that the characters evolved so much in the 2018 film that their journey in the series will naturally differ from the books.
“It’s so different [from] the books, actually, even though it feels like it’s the same,” Chu said. “So you couldn’t go one-to-one. But we can use a lot of inspiration from the book to dig out more story from it.” This creative freedom allows the series to explore new depths while staying true to the opulent and dramatic world fans fell in love with. While the wait has been long, the confirmation of a series promises an even richer and more expansive continuation of the story.
Image Referance: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a69124082/crazy-rich-asians-hbo-sequel-series/