The hit romantic comedy film Crazy Rich Asians is being transformed into a Broadway musical, helmed by the film’s director, Jon M. Chu. Based on Kevin Kwan’s bestselling book, the musical will explore “what can happen when young love collides with old money.”
Chu, also known for directing In the Heights and the highly anticipated two-part Wicked film adaptation, described the project as “a fun, engaging, and hilarious look” at the culture clash that American Rachel Chu (originally played by Constance Wu) faces when she discovers her boyfriend Nick Young is the heir to a Singaporean fortune.
The stage version promises to capture the same charm and humour as the original 2018 blockbuster, which grossed $239 million globally.
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Leah Nanako Winkler (God Said This), Helen Park (KPOP), Amanda Green (Hands on a Hardbody), and Tat Tong will collaborate on the musical adaptation. Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kevin Kwan are producing the show, with a pre-Broadway engagement and further details to be announced soon.
With Crazy Rich Asians making its foray onto the stage, it joins a growing list of movies-turned-musicals, including The Devil Wears Prada and Back to the Future. Chu’s commitment to bringing beloved stories to life is also evident in his current work on the Wicked films starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Chu expressed his belief that casting Grande and Erivo was nothing short of destiny, highlighting the importance of finding the perfect actors to embody the characters.
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He noted the emotional connection he has with the Wicked story, which stems back to attending the musical with his mother during her battle with chemotherapy. Chu feels that splitting the Wicked film adaptation into two parts will allow for a more faithful representation of the source material while preserving the emotional impact for audiences.
The first part of Wicked is slated for release this Thanksgiving, November 27, 2024, with the second part following a year later.
