Crazy Rich Asians Spinoff Starring Gemma Chan, To Focus On Astrid & Charlie’s Romance
Four years have passed since Crazy Rich Asians debuted on the big screen, a colourful rom-com that took the world by storm thanks to its all-Asian cast, high-society intrigue, and wicked satire. Adapted from the 2013 book of the same name by Kevin Kwan, the Jon M. Chu-directed film explores the clashing of two very different worlds—Rachel’s (played by Constance Wu) humble upbringing in New York and Nick (played by Henry Golding), who was born into one of the wealthiest families in Singapore.
As fans await with bated breath for the highly-anticipated sequel, in comes news of a spinoff movie centred on the characters Astrid Leong and Charlie Wu, with roles reprised by Gemma Chan and Harry Shum Jr, respectively.
Photo from Gemma Chan and Pierre Png
To recap, the two former lovers were last seen locking eyes and reconnecting at Rachel and Nick’s engagement party, after Astrid left her cheating husband Michael (played by local actor Pierre Png). Both the spinoff and the series’ sequel in development, are based on the second installment in Kwan’s book series: China Rich Girlfriend. Aside from the rekindling of Astrid and Charlie’s romance, the novel also delves into Rachel’s journey as she discovers more about her long-lost father.
Photo from Gemma Chan and Harry Shum Jr
Fans may have noticed that Shum Jr. barely got any screen time in Crazy Rich Asians, unlike Astrid. But according to the film’s director Jon M. Chu (as told to Entertainment Weekly), it was because “it made Astrid feel like she was leaving Michael for Charlie, and we didn’t have enough room to expand on the idea. We just had to stay focused.”
The spinoff movie is set to be written by the Emmy-nominated Barry producer Jason Kim, who clinched the role by successfully convincing Warner Bros with a “dynamite pitch” for the characters’ romance.
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