Thalapathy 68 (tentative title) is actor Vijay's immediate next project after Leo, and it was understood till a few days ago that director Atlee will be helming this project. Sun Pictures was said to be producing this movie with Anirudh for music, and it was even said that Atlee is creating his own cinematic universe with this film. Thalapathy 68 was said to be an extension of Vijay's cameo in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan, also directed by Atlee and releasing in theaters on June 2, 2023. 

At this time, word of Telugu director Gopichand Malineni narrating a story to Vijay surfaced. Atlee recently wrapped Jawan shooting and is currently busy with post-production of the movie. Seemingly the filmmaker is not ready with a script for Thalapathy 68. Gopichand Malineni on the other hand has okayed his one-liner and is saied to be working on completing his script. 

Gopichand Malineni has famously remade the 2010 Malayalam hit Bodyguard in Telugu under the same name, and his last directorial was Veera Simha Reddy starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead. It remains to be seen which of the two directors will eventually come on-board for Thalapathy 68.