Success of 'Crazy Rich Asians' movie sparks plans for sequel

LOS ANGELES - The Warner Bros. movie studio is in the early stages of developing a sequel to its groundbreaking romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians," a source with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

It is unclear when a sequel could reach theaters. No script has been written and no deals have yet been signed with the movie's screenwriters, the source said.

Jon M. Chu plans to return to direct the new film, his publicist confirmed. But he is first scheduled to direct an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical "In the Heights," which is scheduled for release in June 2020.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported plans for a sequel. The trade publication said the next installment would be based on author Kevin Kwan's second book in a trilogy, "China Rich Girlfriend."

"Crazy Rich Asians" marked a milestone as the first film from a major Hollywood studio in 25 years to feature an all-ethnic Asian ensemble cast. It stars Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina and newcomer Henry Golding.

On its debut weekend, the movie topped U.S. and Canadian box offices with $26.5 million in ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, and sales had topped $44 million through Tuesday. The movie is now starting to roll out in theaters around the world.

In the film, Wu plays a New York economics professor who flies to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's family only to discover it is one of the wealthiest in the country. The cast was drawn from Taiwan, Britain, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States and Australia, along with Singapore.

The main cast also is expected to return for the sequel, The Hollywood Reporter said. The new film also will tell the story of Astrid, the cousin of Golding's character, Nick, with a man named Charlie played by "Glee" alum Harry Shum Jr., Chu told the trade publication.

The gold-digging character in "Crazy Rich Asians," Kitty Pong, portrayed by Fiona Xie, will also have a bigger role, Chu said.

"We needed to hire somebody who can really act, because in time she becomes much more significant," he said.

The plans for a sequel emerged as Singapore's defense ministry said that author Kwan, also an executive producer on the "Crazy Rich Asians" film, is wanted for defaulting on his compulsory military service. Kwan could not be reached for comment.

Warner Bros. is a unit of AT&T Inc. — Reuters