Singaporean author Kevin Kwan is on Hollywood's radar because his novel Crazy Rich Asians has become a bestseller.

Crazy Rich Asians brings you into the world of not just the rich, but super-crazy-private-jets-and-District-9 wealthy.

The story follows Rachel Chu, a Chinese girl living in America, who follows her boyfriend, Singaporean Nick Young, back home for the summer, only to find that he's the scion of a family who holds immense wealth and social influence. Hilarity ensues as Rachel tries to wrap her head around the otherworldly excess she encounters while facing obstacles from members of Nick's family's social circle.

The book has been adapted into a script by American filmmaker Jon M. Chu and has been acquired by Warner Bros to be made into a romantic comedy. Production is slated to begin in early 2017 in Singapore and the worldwide search for an all-Asian cast has begun.

Kwan mentioned before that his ideal cast will feature "equal representation in terms of Singapore stars, Hong Kong stars, Asian-American stars and mainland Chinese stars". But hey, it's a story about ultra-rich Singaporeans behaving badly in Singapore — who better to play the roles than Singaporean actors amirite?

Here is our primer on the main characters and who we think are best suited to play them:

1. The likeable protagonist: Rachel Chu 

Rachel Chu is an economics professor at NYU. Down to earth and humble, she captures the heart of Singapore's most eligible bachelor Nick Young as well as the hearts of readers.

Best played by: Rebecca Lim 

We think Lim is perfect for the role as the fresh-faced girl shocked by the world of excess. Plus have you seen her emote on screen? Her quivering sad face is enough to make you weep.

2. The single mother: Kerry Chu

Rachel Chu's mother resides in America and works hard to provide for her daughter. Demonstrates the stereotypical traits of a hardworking yet kiasu Asian immigrant. She also has a dark secret which she is desperately trying to keep from Rachel.

Best played by: Michelle Yeoh 

Aiyah, we know Yeoh is Malaysian, but it's just across the Causeway — we're practically family. As demonstrated in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Yeoh has got the sincere yet street-smart thing going on, which is perfect for the portrayal of Kerry Chu.

3. The clueless rich boyfriend: Nick Young 

He's a Singaporean Chinese heir to a massive fortune, but is refreshingly down to earth and doesn't think about money all the time (because he has loads of it). However, he is pretty naïve about the soap opera-worthy drama that goes on behind the scenes in his circle of family and friends. His immense wealth is only matched by his good looks.

Best played by: George Young

Good looks? Check. Can speak English? Check. Got the same last name? Check.

Technically Young is British, but he's been working so long in Singapore, we're just going to consider him a Singaporean. Aside from that, Young portrays a positive, boyish personality which is essentially Nick Young. Works out well for us.

4. The scheming MIL: Eleanor Young

Nick's mother Eleanor is determined not to let an outsider (and a poor one at that) join the family and thus stake a claim on the family fortunes. She displays stereotypical kiasu and kiasi motherly behaviour.

Best played by: Amy Cheng

A veteran in the local entertainment industry, we think that Cheng would be able to elevate the portrayal of Eleanor Young from a flat kiasu character to a mother desperate to preserve her son from familial exile if he makes the wrong choices.

5. The powerful matriarch: Shang Su Yi

Nick's grandmother holds much of the family wealth. Her sprawling estate, Tyersall Park, reveals just a hint of the immense wealth and power she holds.

Shang believes in keeping the family pedigree 'pure' by joining with respectable families. Family members who do not keep to her wishes face possible exile.

Best played by: Wee Soon Hui

56 year-old Wee's name might not ring a bell, but you will probably remember her as the face of Mrs Tay, doting mother from the 1996 Channel 5 drama, Growing Up. As seen in her latest drama, Tanglin, Wee plays the role of a matriarch with perfection, and we think she is perfect as the quiet, elegant, yet controlling head of the family who holds everyone in her palm.

6. The bitter ex-girlfriend: Francesca Shaw

A particularly scheming girl who used to date Nick briefly. She joins forces with Nick's mother to scare Rachel away from marrying him. Her antics are particularly vicious, one of which involves a huge, gutted fish in a leather satchel.

Best played by: Fiona Xie

There's only one candidate we would consider if we needed someone so mischievous and daring. No one can forget that bikini run down Orchard Road.

7. The boyfriend's sidekick: Colin Khoo

Colin is Nick's best friend, whose upcoming wedding is the most talked-about in Asia and the event that precipitates Nick and Rachel's descent into the vortex of crazy rich Asians. Prone to mood swings.

Best played by: James Seah

Honestly, Khoo's role is more calafare than sidekick, but in view of the abundance of oestrogen in this article, we felt the need to include his role, which is best played by the brooding Seah.

Top photo adapted from Amazon and Your Singapore.

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