"Please do revisit Kaithi before getting into the world of Vikram", read a statement from writer, director Lokesh Kanagaraj the night before the release of actor, producer Kamal Haasan's 2022 film Vikram. The evening marked the first official confirmation of the existence of a Lokesh Kanagaraj cinematic universe, which the Tamil movie fans have dubbed as the LCU. 

After the Karthi starrer Kaithi (2019) a production venutre of Dream Warrior Pictures, and Vikram [2022] produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, this LCU is now getting Leo [2023] as the third movie from a third different production house - 7 Screen Studio. Vijay starrer Leo has long been known to be a part of this Lokesh cinematic universe, yet the official confirmation of being so has never been explicitly stated out by the makers.

Though Vikram was also meted out the same treatment, LCU wasn't as much of a brand back then. Leo, right from when it was known by its working title as Thalapathy 67 was touted to be an LCU movie and hence had higher expectations attached to it. Lokesh Kanagaraj has said that this is exactly the reason why he doesn't want to do the LCU reveal at this point. The filmmaker during a recent interaction on this topic has said, 

"Even if I do a small thing and tag it as LCU, then the chances of getting dissatisfied (reactions from viewers/fans) is a lot more. {People might think) I expected one thing and what is here is something else. This is a stage to balance all these (meters)..Which is why I am clear about what to state and what to not. 

 

Only 2 films have come out of this (Lokesh cinematic) universe. The third film hasn't come out yet. Not even sure when it will come out. When this (brand) building expands to 4-5 films and stand tall, then it wouldn't matter whatever we do. But when it is in the foundation level (like now), its beauty lies in taking care of not spoiling the brand. Which is what I am trying as well." 

 

Leo releases in theaters worldwide on October 19, 2023 in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages. The movie also stars Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Menon, Priya Anand among others and is an official adaptation of the graphic novel A History of Violence (1997) written by John Wagner and illustrated by Vince Locke. LCU actors from both Kaithi and Vikram will be making cameo appearances in Leo, which includes a special voice appearance from Kamal Haasan as well.