'Leo 2' is ON; But is Thalapathy Vijay OUT as he quits films? Lokesh Kanagaraj faces the big question

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj is navigating a packed creative slate, with his next release Coolie generating immense curiosity. While the buzz around the film continues to build, the filmmaker has now provided a glimpse into what lies beyond — and it’s nothing short of a cinematic expansion plan.

During his appearance on the Sudhir Srinivasan podcast, Kanagaraj shared concrete updates about his next few projects. Once Coolie hits theatres, he intends to focus exclusively on the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Confirming long-standing speculation, he stated that Kaithi 2, Vikram 2, and Leo 2 are next in line. Each of these sequels is expected to carry forward the narrative arcs that began in their predecessors.

Apart from the trilogy of follow-ups, he also revealed his plans for Rolex, a solo film featuring actor Suriya. Unlike the others, this one won’t directly connect to the previous films but will emerge as its own distinct venture within the same universe. Kanagaraj acknowledged that he and Suriya had been in conversation for a while to shape the storyline of this project.

While the excitement around Leo 2 continues to rise, especially with Thalapathy Vijay’s potential exit from cinema, the question of who leads the sequel remains a major topic of speculation among fans.

In another part of the conversation, Kanagaraj addressed his approach to making large-scale films like Coolie, particularly in terms of time commitment from actors. Without naming anyone specifically, he drew a contrast between his work style and that of SS Rajamouli, known for prolonged productions like RRR. Kanagaraj clarified that his projects are typically wrapped up in under a year, with actors asked to remain committed to the shoot without breaks for other films or appearance changes.

With Coolie scheduled for release on August 14, 2025, the director appears focused on managing timelines and storytelling scale without overwhelming his cast or dragging productions indefinitely. The roadmap he’s laid out suggests a deliberate and layered vision for what the LCU will offer next.