In a major turn of events, a UK-based talent agency has revealed the involvement of Hollywood actor Rick Yune in the upcoming action-thriller L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. While the casting of Yune was initially speculated, it was an unexpected social media post by International Artists Management that spilled the beans.
A leaked post spoils the surprise
The excitement surrounding the movie L2: Empuraan reached new heights after a poster was shared, showing the back of a man adorned with a dragon symbol on a white karategi. Fans and media outlets speculated on the identity of this actor, with names ranging from Mammootty and Fahadh Faasil to Korean superstar Don Lee and even Charles Dance, who is famous for his role as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones.
However, the mystery took a twist when International Artists Management announced on their social media and official website that two of their clients, Rick Yune and Andrea Tivadar, would be playing key roles in the film. The post was swiftly removed, but the word had already spread, and the leak became a hot topic for fans and media alike.
Rick Yune, a Korean-American actor best known for his role in the first Fast & Furious movie and his portrayal of a North Korean antagonist in Die Another Day, has an impressive filmography that includes Ninja Assassin, Olympus Has Fallen, and Tetris. Andrea Tivadar, on the other hand, is known for her appearances in popular TV series such as Snatch, Killing Eve, and Bulletproof.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s casting strategy
In a recent interview, Prithviraj revealed that while casting for L2: Empuraan, he had a “wishlist” of actors he wanted to approach. However, despite some actors expressing interest, their agents reportedly became obstacles. This led to unexpected challenges during the casting process.
Despite the leak, Prithviraj has emphasized that the recently-released teaser may not be indicative of the final product. “For all you know, this could feature scenes that I might have shot separately for the teaser,” he explained, echoing the approach he used in his previous film Jana Gana Mana.
More surprises to come
While the casting of Rick Yune is a significant reveal, it might not be the biggest surprise the makers have in store. The team behind L2: Empuraan has teased that they will be unveiling 36 characters from the film in the coming days. Fans can expect even more surprises as the movie’s release date approaches, with several key actors, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, and Indrajith Sukumaran, returning from the highly successful Lucifer.
Prithviraj has also hinted at exciting global backdrops, including segments set in the US and UK, which might add a thrilling international dimension to the film.