Almost 30 years after the original’s 1993 release, a sequel to The Joy Luck Club is on the way. Amy Tan and Ron Bass will write the script, with Jeff Kleeman and Ashok Amritraj of Hyde Park Entertainment Group producing. The original film, directed by Wayne Wang, focuses on the life histories of four East Asian women and their daughters. Through their richly-detailed life experiences, the women pass their knowledge onto a new generation, hoping to shape them into strong and independent individuals. Tamlyn Tomita, Rosalind Chao, Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen, Lisa Lu, Ming-Na Wen, and Lauren Tom, who starred in the original, are in talks to reprise their roles for The Joy Luck Club sequel.
The Joy Luck Club is a well-respected film often credited with changing the face of Asian cinema. The heartfelt drama helped launch the career of Ming-Na Wen, the badass you know from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Book of Boba Fett and S.G.U. Stargate Universe. The Joy Luck Club is often credited for paving the way for films like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, two films starring a predominantly-Asian cast that went on to make millions.
According to Deadline‘s exclusive report, The Joy Luck Club sequel finds mothers becoming grandmothers and daughters becoming mothers in their own right, introducing a new generation to their culture, heritage, struggle, sense of womanhood, and identity.
“We are excited to be teaming with Hyde Park and Jeff Kleeman in bringing to life the next generation of these four families so close to our hearts,” said Tan and Bass.
“I am thrilled to work with Amy, Ron and Jeff to bring this special film to the screen,” said Amritraj. “Now more than ever it is important to share authentic stories about the Asian-American experience, and we believe this film will speak to wide audiences with its narrative rooted in humanity and connection.”
The Joy Luck Club is just as important today as it was thirty years ago. The film’s endearing story and stellar performances helped elevate Asian cinema in ways Hollywood had yet to appreciate. While Asian cinema is making strides in Hollywood, an entire culture went overlooked for far too long. I hope The Joy Luck Club sequel shines as much as the original and brings mothers and daughters together as the story did back in the day.
