It looks like moviegoers are finally going to get that sequel to the beloved 1990s film, The Joy Luck Club. The inspiring story of four women of Asian decent has received a preliminary treatment and fans are already speculating about the potential cast.
Actresses of the original film, Ming Na-Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, and Lisa Lu, are rumored to be cast in the sequel, although that has yet to be verified. Other casting details are still under wraps.
The film will follow the women as they become grandparents and navigate a new generation of women dealing with the complicity of balancing relationships, legacy, and identity. Still in the early stages of development, the screenplay written by Ron Bass and based on the novel of the same name by Amy Tan has been optioned.
So far, joining as producers are Bass, Tan, Jeff Kleeman, Priya Amritraj, and Ashok Amritraj of Hyde Park Entertainment.
The first installment directed by Wayne Wang was released in 1993. Disney’s Buena Vista Pictures and Hollywood Pictures were attached to the project, starring Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, and France Nuyen, among the other notable cast.
Watch The Trailer For The 1993 Version
The film grossed $32.9M in domestic territories. Over the years, The Joy Luck Club has increasingly grown in popularity, with demand for a sequel reaching an all-time high amid the success of Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
In an era where Hollywood is attempting to atone for its lack of diverse representation, a sequel to The Joy Luck Club can be a major vehicle for enlightening the world on the Asian American experience as it is today, while simultaneously providing opportunities for Asian actors.
Just for nostalgia, check out one of the most talked about scenes from the 1993 version:
