Surprising absolutely no one, unless you’re some cranky old studio executive, Crazy Rich Asians made a lot of money this past weekend, practically doubling expectations. So, what does this mean? Sequel, of course!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is moving forward with a sequel to the rom-com hit, and it looks like everyone from the original creative team will be back, including director, Jon M. Chu, and writers, Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim, although deals technically haven’t been made yet.
This is hardly an out-of-left-field development, since the novel that the film is based on is the first in a trilogy, the follow-ups being China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems. Plus, with that somewhat confusing mid-credits stinger in the film, it’s clear that everyone involved was really hoping to more forward with this story.
I really enjoyed the film (you can read my full review here), so I’m glad that we get to see more of these characters. And it’s also helps that the sequel will be another adaptation, and not something that the writers will have to make up. I am curious if the writers will adjust anything to counter some of the criticisms that the film has received in terms of how it portrayed literally anyone who wasn’t in the crazy rich family, particularly the minorities in Singapore. I didn’t mention it in my review, but it was…odd to see an Indian dude with a turban being used as a jokey jump scare.
I don’t think they should since it would likely take away the focus of the story and also the escapism that it’s trying to provide. The filmmakers are more than aware that it won’t speak to everyone, and that it’s not meant to paint the entire picture for Asian representation. It’s a specific story about a specific group of people, and like I said in my review, hopefully, the success of it will open the door for a more wide variety of stories.
In the meantime, see Crazy Rich Asians if you haven’t already. It’s not necessarily mindblowing, though I’m sure it will be for certain moviegoers, but it’s a lot of fun. I’m very much looking forward to see where this story goes.