"Hollywood's growing diversity, with a focus on the impact of 'Crazy Rich Asians'"

In a groundbreaking move for U.S. cinema, the film "Crazy Rich Asians" has made history as the first U.S. film to star an all-Asian American cast since "The Joy Luck Club," which premiered in 1993. Directed by John M. Chu, this romantic comedy has been a game-changer in Hollywood, earning a "Fresh" rating of 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and accruing a total of $34 million within its 5-day run.

The film's success is not only a testament to its entertaining storyline but also to the strong support it received from various Asian-American organizations, film investors, and studios. This collective effort helped appeal to diverse audiences and emphasize representation, a crucial step towards increasing Asian representation in the media.

"Crazy Rich Asians" opened strong at the box office, earning $25.2 million in North America on its opening weekend. The film's success continued, with audiences showing a keen interest in the story, as demonstrated by the 38 percent of Asians who made up the audience demographics during opening weekend.

The film's director, John M. Chu, has expressed optimism about the continuation of Asian American representation in films. He tweeted, "We have arrived. Now let's go tell more of our stories!" Chu has also announced plans to expand "Crazy Rich Asians" into a trilogy, similar to the books' counterparts, "China Rich Girlfriend" and "Rich People Problems."

Plans for a sequel to "Crazy Rich Asians" have been announced by Chu and Warner Bros., with the original cast, producers, and potential screenwriters. This news has been met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see more of the beloved characters.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an Asian American advocacy group, is one of the many organizations that have been instrumental in advocating for increased representation in the media. The PEW Research Center and Statista are also valuable resources for those interested in learning more about the demographics of Asian Americans, including information on ages, immigrant status, income level, and location.

Censusreporter.org offers more localized information on Asian Americans by typing in a zip code of the area being researched. Families with Children from China (FCC) is a national organization for adoptees from Asia, with chapters in Greater New York, Northern California, Southern California, the Midwest, and New England.

The Directors Guild of America has an Asian American-specific committee, and the Asian Women in Business website provides a national directory of organizations, organized by state. These resources are invaluable for those looking to learn more about Asian Americans and their contributions to society.

It's worth noting that, in 2016, Asians had only 3.1 percent of roles in films. This statistic underscores the importance of films like "Crazy Rich Asians" in breaking down barriers and paving the way for increased representation. Only 1 out of 3 people of color are film leads and film directors, and only 1.3 out of 10 film directors are people of color.

The 2018 Hollywood Diversity Report by UCLA provides valuable insights into representation in the media. It's clear that there is still much work to be done, but films like "Crazy Rich Asians" are a step in the right direction.

In a heartwarming show of support, John M. Chu and Henry Golding, the film's director and lead actor, respectively, planned to buy out theaters to support "Crazy Rich Asians." Aneesh Chaganty, the director of the acclaimed film "Searching," thanked Chu and Golding on Twitter, using the hashtag #AsianAugust.

As "Crazy Rich Asians" continues to make waves in the film industry, it serves as a reminder of the power of representation and the importance of telling diverse stories. The film's success is a testament to the talent and potential of Asian American artists and the growing demand for more diverse and inclusive storytelling.

In addition to "Crazy Rich Asians," John M. Chu is set to direct an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights," which is scheduled for release in 2020. This upcoming project further cements Chu's position as a trailblazer in the film industry and a champion for diverse storytelling.