Ivanhoe Pictures To Finance Kevin Kwan's 'Crazy Rich Asians'

SINGAPORE, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Ivanhoe Pictures announced Monday that it has reached agreement to finance and co-produce first-time novelist Kevin Kwan's comedic best seller, CRAZY RICH ASIANS, with producer Nina Jacobson and partner Brad Simpson from Color Force. The book had received rave reviews and became one of the industry's most hotly-pursued titles. It is a hilarious look at three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families whose predilection for gossip, backbiting and scheming reaches fever pitch when the heir to one of Asia's most massive fortunes brings home his American-born Chinese girlfriend to attend the wedding of the season in Singapore. "When we talked about our dream partner for Crazy Rich Asians, we envisioned a company that had a real presence in both the United States and Asia," said Color Force's Jacobson. "That is what is so gratifying about Ivanhoe. Not only does the Ivanhoe team love the book the way we do, it also is committed to making a film that will hold universal appeal in the marketplace, Jacobson said." Ivanhoe's John Penotti said that newly formed Ivanhoe Pictures was pleased to so quickly discover a story that perfectly meshed with the company's creative business strategy. Initially, the company will bridge production opportunities in North America and Asia, focusing on China, India, Korea and Japan. It plans to subsequently pursue English and local-language films in a variety of international markets. -- BERNAMA