Don’t know Deepika Padukone? You may soon, as the Bollywood superstar is looking to break into the Hollywood big time. And it seems she may have found the perfect project to do so. Rumor has it that she’s joinedXXX: The Return of Xander Cage, and will be starring asVin Diesel’s new love interest. The Indian actress helped spur on this rumor with a post on herpersonal Instagram.
Deepika Padukone posted a cryptic photo of herself peering over the shoulder of a bald man many believe to be actorVin Diesel. She is standing in front of the iconicxXxlogo. The Indian daily newspaper Deccan Herald reported on Saturday that the actress had actually signed on as the female lead. But that news has yet to officially break in the states. Deepika Padukone’s publicist has also posted a message on Facebook praising her client.
“Am so so proud of this girl. What an announcement… What a journey it has been!!”
The news may not surprise someVin Dieselfans who have been keeping up with thebehind-the-scenesreports on his previous movies. The action star desperately wanted Deepika Padukone to co-star inFurious 7, which would have marked her American debut. The actress had to turn the role down due to prior commitents that couldn’t be worked out. Now, it appears the two will finally get the chance to work together after all.
XXX: The Return ofXander Cageis the third filming the action series starringVin Dieselas the title character. The first film was released in 2002 and was a box office success. Though, it did not receive very many good reviews across the board.Dieseldidn’t return in 2005’sXXX: State of the Union, which sawIce Cubetaking over the lead role. A short film released on DVD actually showed Xander Cage dying. But he will be resurrected for the latest sequel. A revival of the series has been in the planning stages sinceFast & Furiousdebuted in 2009. The fourth installment in the long running series was an unexpected blockbuster hit, and helped refuel that franchise. Sony hoped the same would be true forxXx. But its been six years and counting, and the film still isn’t officially shooting yet.
Last January,Vin Dieselannounced that principle photography onXXX: The Return of Xander Cagewould being this month. We haven’t heard whether or not that is still the plan, with the production set to take place in the Philippines.D.J. Carusois directing the sequel. You can take a look at Deepika Padukone’s Instagram post here.
