Crazy Rich Asians is a 2018 film based on Kevin Kwan’s novel, which carries the same name. The movie was a hit among viewers, receiving two Golden Globes nominations for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. Warner Bros. announced a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians based on the movie’s success. However, no official update has been provided regarding the sequel’s release.

Despite the sequel still making its way through the development process, a spinoff movie focusing on two characters from the original Crazy Rich Asians cast was also announced. Gemma Chan, sharing an article by Deadline, announced the spinoff on her Instagram account. According to the report, the spinoff will focus on the romance between Gemma Chan’s Astrid Young Teo and Harry Shum Jr.’s Charlie Wu.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

With fans already excited about the sequel of the refreshingly charming romantic comedy, the announcement of the spinoff has fans looking forward with increased eagerness to a journey back into the Crazy Rich world. While not many details about the spinoff have been made public yet, here’s all we know.

Crazy Rich Asians Spinoff: The Plot

     Warner Bros.

While the sequel and the spinoff are being produced as two separate films, both movies will be based on the second book by Kevin Kwan, titled China Rich Girlfriend. While the book explores several narratives, including the journey of Constance Wu’s Rachel and Henry Goldings’s Nick’s trip to Shanghai to determine Rachel’s birth father, the plot of the spinoff will center specifically on the romantic relationship between Astrid and Charlie.

In the final scenes of Crazy Rich Asians, Astrid and Charlie are reunited after being separated for several years. One can assume that the spinoff plot may pick up from the ending given to the characters in Crazy Rich Asians.

Related Link: Choose Love: Why Netflix’s Interactive Rom-Com May Change the Subgenre Forever

Astrid and Charlie are characters who are no strangers to each other. The characters have a significant history between them, having been college sweethearts who later were engaged. However, they are forcefully separated by Astrid’s parents, who do not think Charlie is a good match for Astrid due to his financial position. Charlie is regarded by Astrid’s parents as coming from “new money” and, therefore, unsuitable for their daughter. Astrid is also known for her beauty and fashion sense.

After the separation, Astrid marries Michael, played by Pierre Png in the first movie. However, she finds out that he is having an extramarital affair. Astrid eventually walks out on Michael. She then reconnects with Charlie at the engagement party of Nick and Rachel.

If the spinoff follows the sequence of the source novel, the movie will explore the marital problems Astrid and Charlie face with their respective spouses and how the couple finally find their way back to each other and live out their simple happily ever after.

Crazy Rich Asians Spinoff: The Cast

     Warner Bros. 

Only Gemma Chan and Harry Shum Jr. are a confirmed part of the cast at the time of writing. While other characters from the first movie may make an appearance in the spinoff, no verified news has been published regarding cast members reprising their roles. A high possibility of new faces being included in the cast list of the spinoff also exists.

Release Date

Given the early production stage of the spinoff, no release date for the movie has been confirmed yet. However, if production proceeds according to schedule, we may soon have a confirmed release date.

Everything Else We Know

The spinoff is still in its earliest stages of development and therefore, detailed production information, especially regarding timelines, remains scarce. Emmy nominated producer and writer Jason Kim is set to pen the script for the spinoff. Kim, of South Korean origin, is famously known for his work in Barry (2018), Love (2016), and Girls (2012). As per reports, Kim pitched the idea for the spinoff to Warner Bros., who instantly fell in love with it. The movie will be produced by Jon M. Chu, Nina Jacobson, and John Penotti.

Related Link: Best Movies by Asian-American Directors You Can Stream Right Now

The release of Crazy Rich Asians back in 2018 led to many praising the movie’s cast selections. As reported by Deadline, the film was the first Hollywood movie since 1993’s The Joy Luck Club to include an all-Westernized Asian cast. The movie went on to make a staggering impact at the box office, earning a massive gross of more than $200 million worldwide. The film’s success was also seen in being nominated for several awards.

If the spinoff is anything like the first movie, in terms of both cast and refreshing storyline, it will undoubtedly become a hit among viewers and a fan favorite. This would mean that nominations, awards, and global recognition may also be in store for the spinoff.