A sequel to “Crazy Rich Asians” is in the works at Warner Bros., Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have reported.
The film, the first from a Hollywood studio in 25 years to feature a majority Asian cast, debuted with a five-day total of about $35 million, topping the box office.
Jon M. Chu is expected to return to direct, Variety reported, with screen writers Adele Lim and Peter Chiarelli and producers Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and John Penotti also slated to return. Warner Bros. has film options for Kevin Kwan’s entire “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy, including “Crazy Rich Girlfriend” and “Rich People Problems,” according to Variety.
Chu told The Hollywood Reporter that the second film will focus on the relationship between the newly single Astrid (Gemma Chan) — a cousin of Nick (Henry Golding), the love interest from “Crazy Rich Asians” — and Charlie Wu (Harry Shum Jr.).
Scenes between the two had been shot for the first film but cut for story reasons, Chu has said. A short mid-credits scene between the two was included in the cinema release of “Crazy Rich Asians.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” has been hailed as a win for Hollywood diversity for Asian Americans, inspiring a “gold open” social media campaign to sell-out theaters. During the Aug. 15 premiere, movie-goers recounted their joy at seeing an Asian and Asian-American cast and detailed the heightened meaning that the film had for them.
“To see this many Asian Americans on the screen just got me to come out on the first day,” Jonathan Cagadas said then from a Los Angeles screening. “I talked to my parents today and they’re like, ‘We’re totally seeing it this weekend.'”
Follow NBC Asian America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.