jon m chu

  • 'In the Heights' is a milestone for Latino audiences, but Lin-Manuel Miranda admits there's work to be done: 'I'm listening'

    The film is breaking multicutural barriers and celebrated Latino joy, but its creators and critics say it fell short over colorisim.

  • Game Changers: Why Jon M. Chu considers multicultural musical ‘In the Heights’ a sequel to his breakthrough hit ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

    'Crazy Rich Asians,' 'In the Heights' filmmaker Jon M. Chu is "no longer scared of being called an Asian American director."

  • Jon M Chu Steps Away From Disney+ Series ‘Willow’

    Jon M. Chu is stepping away from directing the Disney+ series “Willow” due to timing issues, the filmmaker announced Monday on Instagram.“I’m heartbroken to let you all know that I unfortunately have to step away from directing ‘Willow,'” he wrote. “With the production schedule moving due to continued lockdowns in the UK, and with a new baby coming this summer (surprise!), the timing is just not going to work for me and my family.”In October, it was announced that Disney+ gave the green light to a “Willow” sequel series from Lucasfilm and Ron Howard, the director of the 1988 original. Chu signed on to direct the pilot.Also Read: Jon Chu to Direct 'Willow' Sequel Series at Disney+The new series, which will see Warwick Davis reprise his role as the titular character, will take place years after the events of Howard’s film.Howard is an executive producer on the project, with “Solo” writer Jonathan Kasdan and Wendy Mericle serving as showrunners.Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Chu, Kasdan, Mericle, Howard and Imagine Television will serve as executive producers, with Roopesh Parekh and Hannah Friedman as co-executive producers. Bob Dolman, writer of the original film, will serve as consulting producer with Julia Cooperman as producer.Also Read: 'Willow' Sequel Series at Disney+ Casts 3 Leads“As you may know, ‘Willow’ has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child, so I’m devastated that I won’t be able to work with some of my heroes old and new like Kathy, Ron, Jon, Wendy, Michelle and the amazing cast and crew they’ve put together,” Chu wrote in his Monday post. “Like a kid seeing ‘Willow’ for the first time in the ’80s, I will look forward to watching this magical new world unfold as a very enthusiastic fan. And boy do they have an adventure in store for you! I can’t wait for you all to experience it soon.”See Chu’s post below. View this post on Instagram  A post shared by Jon M Chu (@jonmchu) Read original story Jon M Chu Steps Away From Disney+ Series ‘Willow’ At TheWrap

  • Director Jon M. Chu ‘Disgusted’ By ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequels Casting Scam (EXCLUSIVE)

    Director Jon M. Chu said while sequels to the hit romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” are in the works, he and producers are not currently casting for “new lead roles,” as falsely indicated by a phony press release and social media post, which have since been taken down. Chu took to his Twitter account on […]

  • Jon M. Chu Lobbies For Disney+ ‘Star Wars’ Series For Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico

    Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu is squarely in Rose Tico's corner. Chu has taken to social media to urge Disney+ to make a Star Wars series revolving around Resistance member Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran in the Star Wars films The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. "Ok @disneyplus. Put […]

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights' trailer showcases singing, dancing and a Trump critique

    Movie version of Tony-winning musical gets updated to include references to DACA and the plight of Dreamers.

  • 'Crazy Rich Asians' Director Responds to Brenda Song Saying She Was Told She Wasn't 'Asian Enough' to Audition

    Jon M. Chu says that he would never make those comments about the actress.

  • Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace Join Jon M Chu’s ‘In The Heights’

    Melissa Barrera and Leslie Grace have joined the cast of Jon M. Chu’s “In the Heights,” producer Lin-Manuel Miranda announced on Twitter on Thursday.Barrera will play Vanessa, while Grace will play Nina. Corey Hawkins was previously announced as Benny, while Anthony Ramos is starring as Usnavi.In the Broadway production of “In the Heights,” which won the Tony for Best Musical and Best Original Score, Benny falls in love with Nina, the girl who “made it out” of the upper Manhattan Washington Heights neighborhood. Nina is enrolled in Stanford, drops out and returns home, where Benny works for her father. Benny dreams of opening his own business but has to deal with Nina’s father, who refuses to accept Benny and Nina’s relationship.Also Read: Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights' Movie Adds Corey Hawkins to CastThe musical was created by Lin Manuel-Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes and follows a bodega owner in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood who has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic after inheriting his grandmother’s fortune.“In the Heights” had originally been set up at The Weinstein Company. However, Hudes and Miranda regained control of the film rights in the aftermath of the company’s downfall following the sexual assault and harassment accusations against Harvey Weinstein, and TWC’s subsequent bankruptcy. Warner Bros. won an intense bidding war for the rights to the musical.Also Read: Anthony Ramos Set to Star in Warner Bros Adaptation of Broadway Hit 'In the Heights'Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman, Mara Jacobs are also producing. David Nicksay, Jill Furman, Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller are executive producing.Barrera is a Mexican actress whose credits include the TV series “Vida” and “Perseguidos.” She is represented by UTA, Cross Over Entertainment and Wolf-Kasteler Public Relations.Grace is a singer who has recorded songs including “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “Be My Baby” and “Day 1.”The studio has dated “In the Heights” for a June 2020 release. Hudes is penning the script with Marc Klein (“Serendipity”).Read original story Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace Join Jon M Chu’s ‘In The Heights’ At TheWrap

  • Jon M. Chu Says There's 'A Lot More Story to Tell' in Anticipated 'Crazy Rich Asians' Sequel (Exclusive)

    The director tells ET his deal isn't done for the follow-up, but promises the movie -- not expected for a while -- is worth the wait.

  • Sandra Oh, John Cho and 'Crazy Rich Asians' Stars to Be Honored at Unforgettable Gala (Exclusive)

    Other honorees include 'The Good Place' standout Manny Jacinto, 'Crazy Rich Asians' director Jon M. Chu and 'Queer Eye's' Tan France.

  • Jon M. Chu on Directing ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequel: ‘We Still Have to Close My Deal on It’

    Is Jon M. Chu directing the sequel and the possible third movie in the “Crazy Rich Asians” franchise? While he is reportedly on board, Chu tells Variety it’s not official yet. “I’m down to do the next two movies. We’ve been talking a lot about it, but we still have to close my deal on […]

  • ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequel in Works With Jon M. Chu to Direct

    That didn’t take long. A sequel to the “Crazy Rich Asians” is already in development at Warner Bros., Variety has confirmed. Jon M. Chu will return to the follow-up, along with the creative team behind the acclaimed romantic comedy. “Crazy Rich Asians” topped the domestic box office last weekend when it opened with a five-day […]

  • Why audiences are cheering credits scene in 'Crazy Rich Asians' and what it could mean for a sequel

    Fans of the book have a very specific reason to cheer for a short, but important sequence that comes midway through the closing credits of “Crazy Rich Asians.”