Joy Ride - What We Know So Far About Adele Lim's Directorial Debut

Just a few years back, a little film called "Crazy Rich Asians" came out of nowhere to be not only a certified fresh crowd-pleaser (per Rotten Tomatoes) but a legit box office behemoth, cracking the top 20 of 2018's highest-grossing films (per Box Office Mojo). Those facts are all the more impressive as the film boasts a cast made up of almost entirely Asian actors, many of whom have since become household names in any cultural circle.

"Crazy Rich Asians" was adapted from Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel of the same name, with Adele Lim translating the book for the big screen alongside Peter Chiarelli. Before her "Crazy Rich Asians" breakout, Lim had already made a name for herself in television, earning credits on series like "One Tree Hill," "Private Practice," and "Lethal Weapon." In the years since she also co-wrote the screenplay for Disney's 2021 animated hit "Raya and the Last Dragon." Having more than proven herself as a cinematic scribe, Lim is now looking to do the same as a director. Her feature debut will reportedly be a road trip comedy "Joy Ride." Here's everything we know so far about the upcoming film. 

Per Deadline, "Joy Ride" will indeed be the first film Adele Lim has worked on that she didn't at least partly write herself. Given that it marks her directorial debut, that may be by design, as it allows her to focus solely on her directing duties. And it surely helps that Lim is working from a screenplay by "Awkwafina is Nora From Queens" co-creator Teresa Hsiao and "Family Guy" and "The Orville" alum Cherry Chevapravatdumrong.

Fans can also take comfort in knowing Lim has assembled a crack cast of actors to bring their words to life in "Joy Ride." Like "Crazy Rich Asians," the cast will be comprised mainly of Asian talent. That includes the film's four central stars, Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, and Sabrina Wu. Hsu, of course, just earned her first Academy Award nomination for "Everything Everywhere All At Once." Park, meanwhile, has earned raves for her work in the Netflix hit "Emily in Paris," with Cola doing the same in the likes of "I Love Dick" and "Good Trouble." The wildcard in the bunch is Sabrina Wu, who's making her big screen debut with "Joy Ride."

As reported by Deadline, that talented group will be joined by "Crazy Rich Asians" alums Ronnie Chieng and Chris Pang, as well as "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" supporting player Desmond Chiam, "Insecure" star Alexander Hodge, and "The Office" regular David Denman.

Given the amount of comedic talent at work on "Joy Ride," there shouldn't be many questions regarding its own comedic merits. But given the film's synopsis, the "Joy Ride" cast will likely also be tasked with bringing some dramatic weight to the proceedings.

Per Deadline, the film will find Stephanie Hsu, Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, and Sabrina Wu playing "unlikely friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure." That adventure will apparently be R-rated in nature and find the four women traversing the Asian continent searching for one of their birth mothers who has unexpectedly become the key to closing a major business deal. Along the way, the friends will learn hard and hilarious lessons about what it means to love each other and, above all themselves.  

As Park told Entertainment Weekly, there's sure to be a lot going on underneath the raunchy surface of "Joy Ride." "This film wildly pushes the limits of comedy," she said, adding that it does so "while giving heart and voice and dimension to people who have never had a meaningful part in this genre on screen."

As it is, "Joy Ride" is clearly shaping up to be a debauched, required viewing coming-of-age movie romp, which is exciting, to say the least. And just in case you need more assurances of its comedic credentials, Deadline is reporting "Joy Ride" will hit theaters with the full backing of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who serve as producers on the film and obviously know a thing or two about funny.

With so much talent aligned in front of and behind the scenes, we're betting "Joy Ride" is well on its way to the top of many "must-see" lists for 2023. And if you're adding it to that list yourself, you'll be happy to know "Joy Ride" will make its theatrical debut sooner rather than later. In fact, the film is lining up for a cushy mid-summer release, with Lionsgate announcing "Joy Ride" will release nationally on June 23, 2023. Mark your calendars accordingly.