It was an announcement that no one saw coming! Crazy Rich Asians will be getting a spin-off TV series on Max more than five years after the movie made a splash at the box office.
Variety reported that Max executives were set on developing a spin-off series for the streaming service. Due to the outrageous success of the first film, it was previously reported that there would be sequels for Crazy Rich Asians based on Kevin Kwan’s hit book trilogy. A sequel film was put on pause after writer Adele Lim left the project after it was revealed that her co-writer Peter Chiarelli was earning more money than her. Since then, Deadline reported that there was a sequel series based on Astrid and Charlie’s love story and even a musical in the works.
On February 28, it was announced that Adele Lim and director Jon M. Chu will be reuniting for the series. The new spin-off TV series has not announced a cast yet—so it’s unknown whether Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Gemma Chan will return to their roles. A brand new set of faces could replace them if they aren’t, but the casting call may proceed with caution. When the casting for the original film was revealed, there was a flurry of controversy about casting predominantly East Asian actors in a Southeast Asian setting.
This dream cast list isn’t perfect, but it’s a roundup of actors we can see play the roles that most of us are familiar with.
Stephanie Hsu has been on a non-stop successful run. She garnered an Oscar nomination as Jobu Tupaki/Joy Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once as well as starred in the hit comedy Joy Ride with Awkwafina. With her role as Jobu Tupaki, she’s definitely nailed a complex type of character who dabbles in fun and lighthearted comedy—perfect for Eleanor.
Runner-up: Leah Lewis
Ross Butler is our pick as Nick Young for the HBO Max Crazy Rich Asians spin-off. You might know him as the OG Reggie in Riverdale, but Butler has the looks and the heart of our favorite male romance character.
Runner-Up: Charles Melton. We know he’s the replacement Reggie in Riverdale, but he’s also having a fun time in Hollywood after his stint in May December.
Nothing compares to Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of a stern mother, but Ming-Na Wen can come at a close second. The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and The Mandalorian actor is fierce and a total badass in those projects, but can she translate those traits to being a mom on-screen?
Runner Ups:
One of the funniest comedians emerging onto the scene. With her dry and fittingly awkward humor and witty observations, Atsuko Okatsuka is our number one pick to portray Goh Peik Lin in the spin-off.
It would be the most satisfying full-circle moment for the actor if he starred in the Crazy Rich Asians spinoff. Ke Huy Quan (of Goonies and Indiana Jones fame) returned to acting after seeing the original film. Now, he’s an Academy Award-winning actor from his role in Everything, Everywhere All At Once. It would absolutely blow our minds.
Justice for Brenda Song! She was the original Crazy Rich Asian when she starred as London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, and now it’s time for her to appear in one of her favorite book series.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, she opened up about how she wanted to audition for the series. “A lot of people don’t know this, but I never got to read for Crazy Rich Asians, ever,” she said. “Their reasoning behind that, what they said was that my image was basically not Asian enough, in not so many words. It broke my heart,” she said.
“I said, ‘This character is in her late to mid-20s, an Asian American, and I can’t even audition for it? I’ve auditioned for Caucasian roles my entire career, but this specific role, you’re not going to let me do it? You’re going to fault me for having worked my whole life?’ I was like, ‘Where do I fit?’”
Jon M. Chu responded to the claims on X (formerly Twitter). “I love @BrendaSong and that sucks if anything of that nature was ever communicated. It’s gross actually. The fact is, obviously I know who she is and didn’t need her to audition. I’m a fan of hers! 🤷🏻♂️Nothing more nothing less. Bums me out she thought it was anything but.” So if Gemma Chan is unavailable to play the role, we know who can fill it in easily.
The magnitude of what Bowen Yang has contributed to pop culture is outstanding. The Las Culturistas and SNL star has also witnessed an explosive stardom run and we’d love to see him judge everyone from the corner of his eye as one of Rachel’s closest friends.
Araminta is described as one of the biggest supermodels in Singapore. Havana Rose Liu is our top pick for the bride who had the wedding of the century.
We all know him as the funny and unhinged Jason Mendoza from The Good Place, but we can totally imagine him being Nick’s childhood best friend. He has the charisma and the looks, and obviously the funny personality you need for a buddy.
