Adele Lim, the co-writer for the Crazy Rich Asians screenplay, has departed from the planned sequels as a result of a dispute over the pay disparity between her and co-writer Peter Chiarelli.
On Twitter, Lim has expressed her gratitude to supporters and positivity for director Jon M. Chu, the cast, and crew.
It’s been a week. My gratitude to the countless people who voiced their support. To people going through their own fight – you are not alone. Also, I have only love for @jonmchu and the cast & crew of #CRA. It was/is a movement and I’ll always root for its continued success ❤️
— Adele Lim (@adeleBlim) September 8, 2019
Chu has posted his own thoughts on the matter, stating that he stands by Lim and her decision. When he first learned about Lim’s dissatisfaction with her initial offer, he and a team of executives and producers made an attempt to reach pay parity between the two writers. Despite how things turned out, Chu takes the opportunity to highlight an important matter in the midst of this departure.
“What I discovered personally through this process is that there are still things to debate amongst ourselves (like value of experience vs lack of opportunity, tv vs film writing, work experience vs life experience, creative contribution valuations etc) which I am sure won’t be simple answers but I know we must try to figure it out to keep the needle moving.”
For those of you who are asking… pic.twitter.com/1SoFLrUBbF
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) September 9, 2019
Crazy Rich Asians grossed $238 million worldwide and $174 at the domestic box office. Warner Bros. has not set any release dates for the sequels, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, yet.
Lim’s credits include the television shows “One Tree Hill” and “Private Practice.” Currently, she is working on Disney’s animated movie for 2020 “Raya and the Last Dragon,” with Cassie Stelle voicing the title character who is on a quest to find the last dragon, voiced by Awkwafina.
At D23 Expo, Variety asked Adele Lim about the Crazy Rich Asians sequels, to which she responded vaguely.
“You’ll have to ask someone of a higher pay grade.”
