Director Jon M. Chu and the cast of “Crazy Rich Asians” seem ready to return.
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| “China Rich Girlfriend,” the potential sequel to “Crazy Rich Asians,” would likely give Astrid (Gemma Chan, pictured) more time in the spotlight. Photo: Warner Bros./Sanja Bucko |
By Nicole Massabrook, International Business Times
“Crazy Rich Asians” is getting rave reviews from critics and fans alike, and people are already wondering if a sequel is on the way. It looks like the door was certainly left open for that.
The movie ends by tying up more loose ends than the book did, so it can stand on its own if it needs to. However, Kevin Kwan’s novel was part of a trilogy, meaning there is much more story to tell. The mid-credits scene even alluded that more drama could be coming with Astrid (Gemma Chan) locking eyes with Harry Shum Jr.’s character. “Crazy Rich Asians 2” isn’t guaranteed, though.
Director Jon M. Chu told E! News that a sequel really depends on the box office success of the first film. “You know, it’s up to the audience,” he emphasized. “If people show up that opening weekend, we would love to tell more story. We would love to also have other people tell their stories as well. So we’ll see, but it’s up to the people who show up.”
The good news is that estimated box office results indicate that “Crazy Rich Asians” did even better than expected over opening weekend. It earned $25.2 million over the weekend and a total $34 million since debuting Wednesday.
[post_ads]According to the Los Angeles Times, “Crazy Rich Asians” cost $30 million to produce, meaning Warner Bros. has already earned the film’s budget back. That is definitely a good sign, though the studio will want the film to also prove it has some staying power at the box office for the next few weeks. The more money it earns, the more likely a sequel is.
A “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel would probably adapt “China Rich Girlfriend,” Kwan’s 2014 novel. The book picks up two years after the first novel left off with Rachel (Constance Wu) and Nick (Henry Golding) about to get married. In the books, Nick’s mother (Michelle Yeoh) didn’t come around so easily, so he hasn’t been in touch with his family in two years. Rachel, meanwhile, learns her biological father’s identity just before her wedding, and she’s ready to know more.
Astrid fans especially are hoping for “Crazy Rich Asians 2.” The trilogy gave Astrid a much bigger storyline in the books than she had in the first movie, but the movie’s mid-credits scene hinted that more was to come in a potential sequel. She locked eyes with her ex-fiancé Charlie Wu, who is also married. The two rekindle their relationship throughout the trilogy. Fans will have to wait and see if that will play out on the big screen.
Luckily, it seems like fan demand is really all it would take for the “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel to get the green light. The cast seems like they’re on board. Awkwafina, who plays Peik Lin, doesn’t know if all the actors are signed on for a sequel, but she thinks everyone would love to return.
“I hope that there is one. And I think that if there is a sequel, that’s a message right there,” she told ET Online. “That, in itself, meant it was explosive enough to bring us all back. It would be an absolute privilege and an honor if there was one. I believe in this movie and in this franchise all the way. If there’s ever a chance, that would be amazing.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” is in theaters now.
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