Dil Raju confirms Icon will no longer star Allu Arjun: 'Venu Sriram will take the script forward with a new hero'
After years of speculation, producer
Dil Raju
has confirmed that the much-anticipated film 'Icon' will no longer star
Allu Arjun
. The film, which was originally announced before the release of Pushpa, has been in limbo due to the actor's packed schedule and increasing market demand post-Pushpa's massive success.
The script for Icon was penned by
Venu Sriram
, who previously directed Vakeel Saab, and an official poster featuring Allu Arjun had also been released. However, with constant delays and the rising expectations surrounding Allu Arjun's future projects, the makers have now decided to move forward with a different lead.
Dil Raju confirms recasting plans
Speaking about the project, Dil Raju said in a recent interview, 'Allu Arjun is not likely to do Icon due to his current busy schedule.
That is why we are thinking of taking another hero for this movie. Venu Sriram will take the Icon script forward after the release of Thammudu. This is a universal script. It's an action film with human emotions.'
In the meantime, director Venu Sriram is gearing up for another film titled Thammudu with Nani, which will be completed before the revamped version of Icon resumes development.
Allu Arjun teams up with Atlee for AA22 X A6
While Icon may be off the table, Allu Arjun has locked in a high-octane new project with director Atlee, tentatively titled AA22 X A6.
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The actor is undergoing a dramatic physical transformation for the role with the help of celebrity fitness trainer Lloyd Stevens.
In a big casting announcement,
Deepika Padukone
has joined the film as the female lead, marking a fresh pairing that has fans excited.
Allu Arjun welcomed to Kakinada in style
Sun Pictures recently unveiled a gripping announcement video for AA22 X A6, featuring glimpses of the international team of technicians onboard. Acclaimed VFX supervisor James Madigan remarked, 'I just got done reading the script and I got to say, my head is still spinning.'
President of Spectral Motion, Mike Elizalde, echoed the excitement: 'The script is seriously unlike anything I've ever read. It is the best of the best of what I would ever want to create.'
Adding to the buzz, Academy Award winner Justin Raleigh, CEO and Artistic Director of Fractured FX, said, 'Reading through it, I'm very excited about all the creature potential… all the different character potential.'
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