Lokesh Kanagaraj keen to cast Gautham Menon in a key role for Thalapathy 67?

According to reports, Lokesh Kanagaraj was eager to cast Gautham Menon in Thalapathy 67 for a key role. In one of his most recent interviews, Gautham had made the same admission.

The filmmaker revealed that Lokesh had initially asked him to take on the role, played by Chemban Vinod Jose, in Vikram. "Lokesh had given me this chance, but it didn't work out. He again called me (for Thalapathy 67) and said he would talk to me more about it."

Vijay will play the lead in Thalapathy 67; the actor's second collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj.

It should be remembered that before, Vijay was slated to star in Yohan Adhyayam Ondru, under the direction of Gautham. The movie, however, failed to materialise. 

While promoting Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, Gautham said, "Yohan's script is complete. It will happen if Vijay is also ready. I'm doing my best. It would be fantastic if it did happen. I'm eager to speak with him again in the future."

He merely narrated 75% of the Yohan Adhiyayam Ondru screenplay when he met Vijay. But before the movie started shooting, Vijay insisted on seeing the complete bound screenplay. So he requested that Gautham Menon return with the entire script.

Gautham Menon often begins filming with 60 to 75 percent of the script in his hand and writes the conclusion after witnessing the development of the main character. Many A-list stars, including Rajinikanth, Vijay, and Suriya, always need a bound script before agreeing to join the project, therefore this technique does not work for them.

At a gathering, Lokesh announced that the producers would release a Thalapathy 67 update within the upcoming several months. "We are in the pre-production phase right now," he added.

The release of Thalapathy 67 is keenly anticipated, especially following the massive success of Kamal Haasan's Vikram.

Unverified reports claim that Sanjay Dutt is a part of Thalapathy 67. Prithviraj Sukumaran is rumoured to be in discussions, but nothing is official as of yet.

Though it is unknown if Thalapathy 67 would take place in the same universe as Kaithi and Vikram, Lokesh has hinted that it will be action-packed.

The filmmaker is currently finishing up the casting and screenplay.

The beginning of the shoot is anticipated for this year's end. Meanwhile, Vijay is filming Varisu, which is scheduled to be released in theatres in January 2023 on the occasion of Pongal.