Crazy Rich Asians was one of those movie events where you just had to be there. Hollywood had never put the focus on an Asian-heavy cast, including a memorable cameo from Kris Aquino, with a setting and story quite like the movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel of the same name, especially in depicting Asians as wealthy and successful instead of the side character or comedic relief as was the case in most American media.
When it was released in cinemas in 2018, the Jon M. Chu-directed rom-com quickly became a favorite as audiences fell in love with Rachel and Nick’s love story and Rachel trying to gain the approval of Nick’s ultra-rich Singaporean family, with glowing reviews and a global box office gross of $239 million worldwide.
It was, and still is, an Asian success story that reminded many how Hollywood can do proper representation right if they wanted to. Since then, its reputation has continued to grow, from its famous Mahjong scene to becoming a popular choice as an in-flight movie. Many involved in the film would go on to find further success, such as Chu directing the Wicked movies and Yeoh winning the Oscar for Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Naturally, as with most successful things in Hollywood, a sequel was expected, especially since there were two more books in Kwan’s series. For years, a sequel based on the second book, China Rich Girlfriend, was seemingly in development in one form or another, yet it never got off the ground for a variety of reasons. That was until today, and it is unexpectedly coming in the form of an HBO Max series
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What to Expect From the Crazy Rich Asians Sequel Series
They say good things come to those who wait, and for fans of Crazy Rich Asians, that finally paid off when HBO recently announced that it greenlit a sequel series to the hit movie consisting of eight one-hour episodes. The show is set to begin production in 2027 with a projected release date of sometime in 2028. Four of the film’s stars, Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Michelle Yeoh, will reprise their original roles in the sequel, with Yeoh signing on as a recurring spot while the rest are series regulars.
Plot details have yet to be revealed as of this writing, but it’s a safe bet that viewers will most likely follow Nick and Rachel following their engagement at the end of the original movie and, since it is a show, potentially explore other storylines from the sequel books, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems. We could even get a follow-through on Crazy Rich Asians’ mid-credits scene where Gemma Chan’s Astrid is smitten by a man at a party, played by Harry Shum Jr., though both actors haven’t yet been confirmed to be in the show.
Interestingly, this is the first series ordered since Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery completed their merger and became Skydance, so it seems they aren’t wasting time going through the legacy studio’s IP. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the original and is also directing and producing The Princess Diaries 3, will serve as the showrunner and an executive producer, while Chu and Kwan are among the executive producers.
“It’s a ‘Crazy Rich’ family reunion! This series is the sequel we’ve been waiting for, but instead of just one movie, we get eight episodes to delve into the characters and worlds of Kevin Kwan’s brilliant books,” said Lim in a statement. “Getting to work with the original creative team with the support and vision of HBO and Warner Bros. Television has been a dream. Our writer’s room is humming, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve come up with.”
As exciting as it is to see a sequel to one of the most influential Asian-American movies of the 2010s, we’re also hoping that the series knows what made the original so good. Crazy Rich Asians is a fun and enjoyable rom-com that also understands the power dynamics and relationships that exist in Asian households and families.
Many Asians can relate to the struggle Rachel faces in trying to impress Nick’s mom, Eleanor, and meet her standards. But given that some of the original cast (so far) and most of the movie’s creative team are on board for the series, it has us thinking there’s promise as one of the most anticipated shows to look forward to in the coming years.
Featured Image and Photos: IMDB (via Website)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. HBO ordered a sequel series, announced October 8, made up of eight one-hour episodes. It follows the 2018 film, which grossed $239 million worldwide, and is based on Kevin Kwan’s novels.
Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Ronny Chieng return as series regulars, and Michelle Yeoh returns in a recurring role. Gemma Chan and Harry Shum Jr., among others, have not been confirmed.
Adele Lim, co-writer of the 2018 film, is showrunner and executive producer. Jon M. Chu, who directed the film, and Kevin Kwan are among the other executive producers.
Production is set to begin in 2027. No release date has been announced, though MEGA’s article projects 2028.
Plot details haven’t been revealed. MEGA expects it to follow Nick and Rachel after their engagement and possibly draw on the novels China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems.
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