Crazy Rich Asians 2 could be missing a major cast member when it starts filming. Gemma Chan will reportedly leave the highly-anticipated sequel.
Crazy Rich Asians 2 could lose a major member of its ensemble cast later this year. This is due to the busy schedule of cast member Gemma Chan. She is reportedly considering an exit from the romantic comedy franchise.
Chan played Astrid Leong-Teo on the first Crazy Rich Asians movie. Her character became a feminist hero for many of those who watched the first film. This is due to how Astrid stood up to her cheating husband.
The sequel will be an adaptation of China Rich Girlfriend, the second novel in Kevin Kwan’s bestselling series. The book continues the story of Crazy Rich Asians but this time with a greater focus on Astrid.
The Eternals pushed back to February 2021
One of the reasons why Gemma Chan will exit China Rich Girlfriend is the delay in the release of The Eternals. The English-born actress will star in the movie with Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, and Kumail Nanjiani.
Chan will play Sersi in the Marvel Studios movie. In the comics, the character is known for her love for humanity and her transmutational abilities.
Been dying to share this news with you.. I couldn’t be happier to be coming back to the MCU to play this iconic character and to work with this incredible group of people ????#Eternals #Sersi #D23Expo https://t.co/sXbsjrIfDT
— Gemma Chan (@gemma_chan) August 24, 2019
Coincidentally, this is not the first time Chan played an MCU character. She previously played Minn-Erva in last year’s Captain Marvel.
Crazy Rich Asians 2 production now uncertain
In China Rich Girlfriend, Astrid will be reuniting with her former fiancé, Charlie (played by Harry Shum Jr.). Rachel (Constance Wu) will also finally see her long-lost father, who is a Chinese billionaire.
In an interview last year, Chan said that the second and third movie will be shot back to back in 2020. However, the worldwide COVID-19 crisis has put a major question mark on the release of the sequels.
Director Jon M. Chu criticizes casting scam
In related news, China Rich Girlfriend director Jon M. Chu recently slammed perpetrators of a casting scam. This was after someone named Alan Baltes claimed to be casting Asian and Caucasian actors for the film.
The post mentioned that interested actors will undergo “live Zoom auditions.” They should also settle a $99 “submission fee” to be considered for the roles.
The American director took to his Twitter account to clarify that the sequel is not casting “new lead roles.” According to him, he has already informed the legal department of Warner Bros. Pictures about Baltes’ existence.
Crazy Rich Asians 2 will be in theaters in a still-unannounced date in 2021. On the other hand, The Eternals will have its theatrical release on Friday, February 12 next year.
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube Screenshot
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