It's been eight years since Crazy Rich Asians took the world by storm, turning Kevin Kwan's novel into a cultural phenomenon and launching a wave of representation in Hollywood. Fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since, but the road has been long and winding. Now, the wait is finally over—sort of. The HBO series continuation is officially moving forward, but it won't hit screens as quickly as some might hope.
In an exclusive chat with Collider while promoting The Terminal List's second season, Constance Wu—who played Rachel Chu in the original film—revealed that the HBO series is officially greenlit, with production slated to begin in 2027. Wu admitted she'd known about the project for over a year but stayed quiet because Hollywood is full of false starts. "I've known for over a year, truly, in terms of when the offer came in and that it was going to be a TV show," she said. "I just didn't talk about it because, in Hollywood, so many times, you'll get an offer, and then you say yes, and then something falls through."
The actress was particularly cautious not to get fans' hopes up prematurely. "I didn't want to be a tease because there are such huge fans of the movie," she explained. It wasn't until about two days before HBO's official announcement that the project received its final greenlight. "They kept saying, 'We're going to greenlight it. That's why we're negotiating with you for the contracts.' But it was never fully, officially greenlit until about two days before the announcement came out," Wu revealed.
Why a TV Series Instead of a Movie?
Many were surprised when the continuation was announced as an HBO series rather than a theatrical sequel. But Wu believes the longer format is a blessing. "Story is story, right? Whether it's TV or film, for me, my work remains very much the same," she said. "Just like Jack Carr has a whole bunch of books, Kevin Kwan has a whole bunch of books, and there's a Crazy Rich universe, in a way."
The TV format allows for deeper exploration of the expansive world Kwan created. "There are many other characters. There are new characters to expand upon," Wu told Collider. "So, I think that having it be a series is a great opportunity to expand on those things. And for fans of the books, I think they'll be pleased."
However, Wu was quick to temper expectations about an imminent release. "It's still going to be a while. We haven't even started production," she said. "We just got the official greenlight last week, and then we're supposed to start production next year. And then, of course, production takes several months, and then there's post-production." She noted that some fans seem to think the show will arrive next year, but that's not the case. "I think people are acting like it's going to come out next year, and I'm like, 'No, we haven't even shot it yet. We're going to shoot it next year.'"
The actress also shared a personal perk: the series will film in New York, where she lives. "We're shooting it here in New York, which is where I live, so that's great. It's very exciting for everyone."
The original Crazy Rich Asians (2018), directed by Jon M. Chu, grossed nearly $239 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It followed Rachel Chu as she discovered her boyfriend Nick's family is one of the wealthiest in Singapore—and not exactly welcoming. The film became a landmark for Asian representation in Hollywood.
While fans wait for the series, they can revisit the original film on digital platforms. For those eager for more from the world of Kevin Kwan, the upcoming series promises to expand the universe in ways a single movie couldn't. And if you're in the mood for another musical-comedy with a similar vibe, check out this look at Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. For more on what's streaming, see Gladiator and its sequel heading to Netflix. And if you're curious about other long-awaited projects, Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie has been shelved.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the Crazy Rich Asians series and Wu's full interview.
