‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Series Ordered at HBO with Film’s Original Cast Returning
Client: Michelle Yeoh – Talent; Ronny Chieng – Talent
“Crazy Rich Asians” is alive and well. HBO, in its first move in the Skydance era, has greenlit a long-rumored “Crazy Rich Asians” series based on the bestselling books from author Kevin Kwan and continuing the story of the 2018 box office hit.
“Crazy Rich Asians” will pick up right after the events of the film and will bring back film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Oscar-winnner Michelle Yeoh as series regulars. Adele Lim, who co-wrote the film, is showrunning what will be an hour-long original drama series and executive produce. Also EP’ing are Kwan, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and the director of the film “Crazy Rich Asians,” Jon M. Chu.
“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,” Lim said 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 writers room is humming and we can’t wait to share what we’ve come up with.”
“Eight years ago, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ changed my life, and I got to make it with the most creative and hilarious group of people I’ve ever known,” Chu said. “Since then, this cast has become movie stars, superheroes, arena-filling performers and even an Oscar winner, so bringing everyone back together feels like coming home. It’s been incredible watching audiences make this movie part of their lives, from mahjong nights to becoming the ultimate airplane movie, and I can’t wait to share what comes next. Finally, I get to answer the question I’ve been asked almost every day for eight years: ‘When are we getting the sequel?’ Well… bok bok bitch, we’re back.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” told the story of an American who traveled to meet her boyfriend’s family in Singapore, only to discover that he’s really part of one of the wealthiest families in the country and one of Singapore’s most eligible bachelors. The film made $239 million worldwide and always floated the possibility of a sequel considering that the “Crazy Rich Asians” books are actually a trilogy, but a sequel never materialized. Golding did tease last year that a series, not a film, was in the works, and that he was planning to return.
The “Crazy Rich Asians” television series is executive produced by WGA Award nominee Adele Lim via her production company 100 Tigers; Critics Choice Award winner Jon M. Chu via his production company Electric Somewhere; Kevin Kwan; Emmy Award® winners Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson via their production company Color Force, which developed and produced the film; Chloe Dan and Jeannine Tang for SK Global Entertainment, which co-financed the film; Emmy Award winner Naia Cucukov Richards via Lim’s 100 Tigers; and Emmy Award® nominee Rose Lam. The series is co-produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television.
“We are so excited that Adele and the team behind the history-making film are bringing the next chapter of this story to life. Constance, Henry, Ronny, and Michelle are global superstars, and we know the passionate fans of the film and megahit novels can’t wait to see more. We’re glad to be in partnership with this talented producing team and cast,” said Casey Bloys, Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance Direct-To-Consumer.
“From a bestselling novel to a blockbuster film and now television, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ has solidified its place as one of the most beloved stories in popular culture,” Channing Dungey, Chairman, Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, said. “Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart, and the talented Adele Lim returns to adapt this renowned tale for a new television audience. We are equally thrilled to welcome Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ronny Chieng, and Michelle Yeoh back to reprise their iconic roles. We can’t wait to bring this series to life with our partners at HBO.”
“I am thrilled that the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ family is getting back together thanks to HBO and Warner Bros. Television,” Kwan said in a statement. “Our incredible fans around the world have been patiently waiting for this, and it will be worth the wait! Getting to see my stories and characters come to life with the breathing room of an HBO series is a dream come true, and I am so excited to experience the magic that Adele, Jon, Nina, Brad, our amazing writers and iconic cast will create.”