GI Joe Retaliation Director Knows Some Crazy Rich Asians!

Jon .M. Chu is set to direct Crazy Rich Asians, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The novel centres on three wealthy families who come together for a wedding in Singapore, which descends into backstabbing schemes as they compete for a stake in a family fortune.

While Hollywood has come in for criticism for white-washing movies starring white actors in Asian roles - the latest instance being Disney's decision to cast Scarlett Johannson in the lead role of Ghost In The Shell - Crazy Rich Asians looks set to avoid this controversy, featuring a predominantly Asian and Asian-American cast (with Jon M. Chu himself Asian-American).

Crazy Rich Asians marks a notable diversion in style and tone for Chu, his career up to this point characterized by a mixture of music/dance films such as the Step Up series and his work with Justin Bieber, and the action movie G. I. Joe: Retaliation. A character-driven drama concerned with social mores and contrasting cultures is an interesting choice for a director usually associated with light-hearted entertainment.

With a literary sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, already available, the potential for a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians is already there should the film prove to be a success at the box office.

Chu's next movie, Now You See Me 2, is due for release on June 10th.