Crazy Rich Asians 2 Development Details And More
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When it was released in 2018, "Crazy Rich Asians" quickly became one of the hits of the summer. The marvelous movie, which is based on the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, stars Constance Wu as Rachel, a humble New York professor who discovers that her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) comes from an immensely wealthy family. "Crazy Rich Asians" grossed more than $200 million worldwide, proving its stars were totally bankable and that its director, Jon M. Chu, knows what he's doing.
Chu has since gone on to make "In the Heights" and embark on "Wicked: Part One," while Wu, Golding, and the movie's other stars have been featured in a wide variety of projects. But many "Crazy Rich Asians" fans remain eager for another film that follows Rachel, Nick, and all their loved ones. A sequel was already in development at Warner Bros. by August 2018, and Kwan wrote two sequels to the original novel, which are just waiting to be adapted. Indeed, Chu's IMDb page features two films with names matching those sequels under his upcoming credits: "China Rich Girlfriend" and "Rich People Problems." But little news beyond these factoids has emerged in the last few years. Is the movie happening? Who's been signed on? What will the story be? This is everything you need to know about "Crazy Rich Asians 2."
When will Crazy Rich Asians 2 be released?
As of right now, there's no confirmed release date for the second "Crazy Rich Asians" movie. Back in 2018, word on the street was that two sequels to "Crazy Rich Asians" were scheduled to be shot back-to-back in 2020. Clearly, this did not come to pass. The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in this, of course, as did the packed schedules of the film's stellar cast and crew.
Where does the sequel stand today, and when might it come out? We don't have a date, or even a release window, but certain details do give us an idea of where "Crazy Rich Asians 2" stands. In a May 2021 interview with IMDb On the Scene, Constance Wu revealed she hasn't seen a script for the rumored film yet. "What I can tell you about it is if and when it happens, I'm gonna be psyched to be there," she remarked, "and to work with Awkwafina ... and have a reunion with all those wonderful people I had that great experience with then." In March 2022, Henry Golding told E! News, "I always bug [Chu] about ['Crazy Rich Asians 2'] and he tells me the same thing every time: They're trying to figure out the writing. I know they're working on it, but hopefully sooner than later."
Michelle Yeoh offered fans a ray of hope in December 2022 when she revealed a writer was attached to the project. This writer has turned out to be Amy Wang, who has worked on "Brothers Sun" and "From Scratch." What does this mean in terms of release date? Well, filming on "Crazy Rich Asians" commenced on April 24, 2017, and wrapped up on June 23. If things happen at a similarly brisk pace for "Crazy Rich Asians 2," fans could be seeing it within the next couple of years.
What is the plot of Crazy Rich Asians 2?
If "Crazy Rich Asians 2" follows Kevin Kwan's books, it will focus on Rachel reconnecting with her birth father, who she was told died in a car accident before she was born. After getting some help from a private detective, Rachel discovers that not only is her father alive and well, he's also one of the wealthiest men in China. She invites her father to her wedding and, through him, meets her half-brother Carlton and his on-again-off-again girlfriend Colette. Rachel decides to spend her honeymoon traveling to multiple countries with them. This journey takes up much of the story's latter half.
"Crazy Rich Asians 2" will likely make some major changes to this narrative; Constance Wu said as much in her 2021 interview with IMDb On the Scene. But it's currently unclear what those changes might be. For what it's worth, Kwan understands the stakes of sequel-making. "Crazy Rich Asians" was a surprise blockbuster hit, which means the sequel needs to one-up the original. "This needs to be 'The Godfather 2,'" Kwan remarked to Variety. "It needs to be as good, if not better than the first."
Who is starring in Crazy Rich Asians 2?
It's safe to assume that most, if not all, of the principal cast members from "Crazy Rich Asians" would return for the sequel. That includes Constance Wu and Henry Golding, as well as Gemma Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and the bevy of other actors featured in the film. But while Yeoh has expressed interest in the sequel, she's not sure when a part two will get off the ground. Speaking to Variety in May 2023, the Oscar-winning actress said the filmmakers were still "trying to find the right story."
In addition to those aforementioned returning characters, Kevin Kwan's "China Rich Girlfriend" suggests there might also be several new figures in the rumored sequel. Two of the biggest are Rachel's older brother Carlton Bao, who complicates the family dynamic, and Colette Bing, a Chinese blogger who is always rocking couture. Fashion is a crucial part of the first film, and it's likely to remain an important element of any sequels. If Colette's role remains substantial, she'll likely be looking great and making waves. No casting announcements have been made yet for either role, however.
Where to watch Crazy Rich Asians
While you wait for more info to drop regarding "Crazy Rich Asians 2," why not reacquaint yourself with the movie that started it all? One go-round with Rachel, Nick, Peik Lin, and the rest of the gang is fun, but there are all kinds of details you only catch once you've watched "Crazy Rich Asians" twice.
"Crazy Rich Asians" is available to stream on HBO Max, TNT, and DirecTV. Not a subscriber to any of those platforms? Not to worry — you have plenty of other options. "Crazy Rich Asians" can be rented for $3.99 and purchased for $9.99 from YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play. Redbox users can also rent it for $3.99, but buying it will cost you $16.99. Finally, while AMC On Demand doesn't offer a rental option, you can buy it on that platform for $9.99.