Jon M. Chu is ready to dive back into the glittering world of Crazy Rich Asians, though he’s playing it cool while waiting for the green light on the HBO Max series.
The 2018 film, based on Kevin Kwan’s bestselling book, turned the spotlight on Asian representation in Hollywood, and fans have been eager for more ever since. Now, Chu has offered an update—and some insight into why continuing the story isn’t as simple as it seems.
“It’s a real thing,” he told Esquire. “We have scripts, and we’re waiting to be officially ready to go.”
Chu elaborated on the creative challenge: “It’s hard to do the continuation of the books, because our characters changed so much in the first movie. It’s so different [from] the books, actually, even though it feels like it’s the same. 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.”
While no actors have officially signed on yet, Chu is confident: “Our cast will be there” when the show finally begins production.
Read more: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ TV Series Update: Henry Golding Teases “Larger, Longer-Running Format” on Max
The HBO Max series is being shepherded by executive producer and showrunner Adele Lim, who co-wrote the original film with Peter Chiarelli. Chu and Kwan also serve as executive producers, ensuring the series stays true to the franchise’s signature mix of glamour, family drama, and cultural specificity.
As of earlier this year, the original cast had been in informal discussions about returning. Sources confirm the series isn’t meant to replace the long-awaited sequel to the 2018 film—it will explore the same world, drawing inspiration from Kwan’s novels.
Crazy Rich Asians broke box office records and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, grossing over $239 million worldwide. The movie stars Constance Wu as Rachel Chu, an NYU professor who travels to Singapore with her longtime boyfriend, Nick (Henry Golding), only to discover he’s heir to one of the country’s wealthiest families—and possibly its most eligible bachelor.
Read more: Report Shows Hollywood’s “Asian Moment” Isn’t a Trend — It’s a Missed Business Opportunity
Fans waiting for the next chapter can breathe easy: the world of extravagant weddings, secret family fortunes, and Cantonese-speaking maids isn’t going anywhere.
