AceShowbiz - With the blockbuster success of "Wicked", drawing an impressive $164.2M globally on its opening weekend, filmmaker Jon M. Chu finds himself being quizzed about another of his hit movie. The million-dollar question buzzing in the air centers around the long-awaited sequel to his 2018 hit film, "Crazy Rich Asians".

This groundbreaking Warner Bros. movie didn't just break box office records with a $35.2M domestic opening and a $240M worldwide haul; it also shattered stereotypes, spotlighting Asian and Asian American actors like Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, and Gemma Chan.

In late summer of 2018, following its significant success, Warner Bros. swiftly announced a sequel based on the second book in Kevin Kwan's trilogy, "China Rich Girlfriend", with plans for a third installment.

However, fans have been in a holding pattern since then. A fallout with the original writers Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim over pay disparities led to Amy Wang stepping in as the new scriptwriter in 2022.

Despite these hurdles, Chu remains committed to creating a sequel that lives up to the first film's innovative spirit. He recently shared on the podcast Crew Call, "I won't bring everyone back unless it's worth it. There's too much on the line for everybody."

Chu elaborated on the complexities involved, stating, "We've tried all different versions. It's hard because people think the first movie is like the book, but it actually is not. It's the right spirit, but the plotting is very different. And so, you can't just go and translate. And we've tried versions and the fact is, is that we just haven't gotten there."

He underscored his high standards, noting, "There's no way I'm dragging the audience back. There's no way the bar is too high. So, in time when we get there, we will."

Beyond the immediate sequel, there are exciting developments for the "Crazy Rich Asians" universe. Actor Gemma Chan's character Astrid Young Teo is expected to be the focal point of a spinoff, diving into her romance with Charlie Wu.

At the same time, a Broadway musical adaptation is also in the works with Chu at its helm. "To me, that sequel right now is the Broadway musical that we're working on. That's very exciting and very fun," Chu remarked, offering fans a hopeful glimpse of more "Crazy Rich Asians" content to come.

While the wait for the "Crazy Rich Asians" sequel continues, fans can rest assured that Jon M. Chu is dedicated to ensuring that only an exceptional script will see the light of day. With various projects including spinoffs and a Broadway musical on the horizon, the world of "Crazy Rich Asians" remains alive and brimming with potential.