Hit rom-com Crazy Rich Asians release in China is on the cards

Image: Warner Bros.

We've got crazy rich expectations...

'Wow! These Asians are crazy rich!' – our expected reaction when we finally see Crazy Rich Asians, the recently released romantic comedy that has smashed box offices across the globe.

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via QQ

Starring the likes of Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ken Jeong, Michelle Yeoh and Gemma Chan and based on the eponymous novel by Kevin Kwan, it's the first film coming out of a major Hollywood studio in 25 years to feature a cast of actors solely of Asian descent. Despite being a cinematic milestone that's been heralded as a huge moment for the representation of Asians in Hollywood cinema – though its claims of wide representation have also come under scrutiny from some commentators – it is yet unclear whether the film will be released here in China, according to Fortune.

Crazy Rich Asians currently has no China release date and there are several potential reasons as to why this may be detailled in the Fortune article. First of all, it could be argued that it won't be received as well here in China due to consumers being used to seeing films with Asian leads and exclusively Asian casts – a factor that is a huge part of the film's appeal in the West. There are also the themes of Asian American culture, something that potentially wouldn't sell so well when brought into the Chinese market, as well as humour not directly translating amongst other things that would potentially detract from what has made the film a success in other countries.

Then, also, it might just come down to the powers-that-be not being into it and, if that's the case, there's very little that can be done.

Still, despite these perceived obstacles, there is still a fair chance that the film will make it to China at some point in the future. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, John Penotti of Ivanhoe Pictures – one of the film's producers – said that 'it looks like we’re [Crazy Rich Asians] in strong consideration', having spoken to his colleagues in Beijing. So, there we have it. All we can say for the time being is 'maybe.' For now, all we've got are our crazy rich expectations...

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