Shooting Begins on Warner Bros.’ ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Constance Wu of ABC's "Fresh off the Boat," stars in the upcoming "Crazy Rich Asians" (Publicity Photo).

LOS ANGELES – Filming began this week on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Crazy Rich Asians,” based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan.

Jon M. Chu (“Now You See Me 2”) is directing the contemporary romantic comedy, which features an entirely Asian international cast. The film stars Constance Wu (“Fresh Off the Boat”); Henry Golding, making his feature film debut; Gemma Chan (“Humans”); Awkwafina (upcoming “Ocean’s 8,” “Neighbors 2”); and Michelle Yeoh (upcoming “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

Color Force’s Nina Jacobson (“The Hunger Games” films) and Brad Simpson (“World War Z”), and Ivanhoe’s John Penotti (“Hell or High Water”) are producing the film, with Tim Coddington, Robert Friedland and Kwan serving as executive producers.

“Crazy Rich Asians” follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can’t buy love, it can definitely complicate things.

The film’s large ensemble cast also includes Chris Pang (“Marco Polo”), Sonoya Mizuno (“La La Land”), Jing Lusi (“Stan Lee’s Lucky Man”), and comedian Ronny Chieng (“The Daily Show”), as well as a number of Singaporean actors, including Pierre Png, Fiona Xie and Tan Kheng Hua.

“Crazy Rich Asians” is being filmed entirely on location in Singapore and Malaysia.