One of the biggest hits of last year was Jon M. Chu’s comedy, Crazy Rich Asians. The film proved to be a massive success, grossing over $200 million dollars worldwide on a budget of $30 million. Thanks to its success, Warner Bros has considered creating a sequel that will continue the love story between Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Nick Young (Henry Golding). However, productions issues on this sequel have already arose, as one of the original film’s writers, Adele Lim, just left the project according to EW.
Lim helped co-wrote the first film with screenwriter Peter Chiarelli but left its sequel over a pay dispute, as her co-writer received a higher wage for production. She stated in a recent interview from Hollywood Reporter, “Being evaluated that way can’t help but make you feel that is how they view my contributions.” She also stated that while Peter Chiarelli is very talented and gracious, her pay should not be dependent on the “white guy writer.”
Lim’s disappointment on not being pay equity is heighten by the fact that she believes more women of color would have a much more difficult time being hired for future projects. “If I couldn’t get pay equity after Crazy Rich Asians, I can’t imagine what it would be like for anyone else.” Lim mentioned in the interview.
Despite Lim’s absence and Warner Bros attempt to bring her back, the sequel, titled Crazy Rich Girlfriend, still seems to be continuing its development. With Jon M. Chu expressing interest in making a possible trilogy from the original book’s two follow-ups, the sequel is most likely going to happen. Even if Lim does not return, she still has more work planned in the future, having been hired as a writer for Disney’s next animated film, Raya and the Last Dragon.
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