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Director Jon M. Chu ‘Disgusted’ By ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequels Casting Scam
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 Wednesday to express his dismay and disgust after a user named Alan Baltes — claiming to be an actor and casting associate — posted a notice saying that the supposed “Crazy Rich Asians” sequels, “China Rich Girlfriend” and “Rich People Problems,” were casting Asian actors, ages 20s through 40s, for lead roles via “live Zoom auditions.” There was also a part listed for a Caucasian female between ages 25-35.
The post asked that talent who wanted to be considered pay Baltes a $99 “submission fee” via Google Pay or Venmo.
“I kept reading it, and when it said ‘99 dollars,’ I was like, ‘This is f—ed up,’” Chu told Variety. “There’s so many scams like that in L.A. anyway and to actually target, specifically, Asian actors, was very frustrating.”
Chu said he was first alerted about the notice when he was tagged in a tweet, after which he notified Twitter and flagged Warner Bros.’ legal department. After posting his own reaction, Chu said he was promptly blocked by Baltes on Twitter. Baltes’ account has since been deactivated, as has a link to the original press release, of which Variety obtained a text copy.
The “In the Heights” director called the scam a “direct attack,” as Asian American actors have only lately begun to see opportunities expanded for them on screen.
“Asian American actors finally get the opportunity or the hope that there are roles and parts out there. People have this light inside of them to pursue this dream that they never thought was possible before, and to take advantage of that and know that you can take $99 for a fake audition is just disgusting,” said Chu.
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 Wednesday to express his dismay and disgust after a user named Alan Baltes — claiming to be an actor and casting associate — posted a notice saying that the supposed “Crazy Rich Asians” sequels, “China Rich Girlfriend” and “Rich People Problems,” were casting Asian actors, ages 20s through 40s, for lead roles via “live Zoom auditions.” There was also a part listed for a Caucasian female between ages 25-35.
The post asked that talent who wanted to be considered pay Baltes a $99 “submission fee” via Google Pay or Venmo.
“I kept reading it, and when it said ‘99 dollars,’ I was like, ‘This is f—ed up,’” Chu told Variety. “There’s so many scams like that in L.A. anyway and to actually target, specifically, Asian actors, was very frustrating.”
Chu said he was first alerted about the notice when he was tagged in a tweet, after which he notified Twitter and flagged Warner Bros.’ legal department. After posting his own reaction, Chu said he was promptly blocked by Baltes on Twitter. Baltes’ account has since been deactivated, as has a link to the original press release, of which Variety obtained a text copy.
The “In the Heights” director called the scam a “direct attack,” as Asian American actors have only lately begun to see opportunities expanded for them on screen.
“Asian American actors finally get the opportunity or the hope that there are roles and parts out there. People have this light inside of them to pursue this dream that they never thought was possible before, and to take advantage of that and know that you can take $99 for a fake audition is just disgusting,” said Chu.
