One of the most highly-anticipated additions to Kick-Ass 2's cast is undoubtedly Mother Russia, a towering former KGB and Spetsnaz member turned personal bodyguard to Red Mist. After director Jeff Wadlow tweeted a teaser image of the actress on set, Bleeding Cool reported that Russian bodybuilder Olga Kurkulina had been cast as in the role.
Mother Russia is ready to crush some skulls.Though her imposing physique was, 6’2″ Ukrainian bodybuilder Olga Kurkulina has now been confirmed for the role of Motherf.er’s (the character f.k.a. Red Mist played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse) bodyguard in “Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall,” with the athlete-cum-actress herself spilling the news in with Russian weightlifting magazine Iron World ( Bleeding Cool).“I competed against other candidates from America, Switzerland and Holland,” said Kurkulina of the role (all quotes translated by B.C.). “I spent three weeks in the casting, which took place at Pinewood studios. At the end, the director told me that I was getting a role. This was a difficult time psychologically and physically. Many people worked hard and from the heart to help me. On August 30th we fly to Toronto for a month”s shooting on location, and then we go back to London where stunts will be filmed at a local studio.
Now I”m train hard, learning new movements for attack and defense working with professionals on my acting and speech training.”A newcomer to the world of acting, “Kick-Ass 2” will serve as Kurkulina’s feature-film debut.In the comics, Mother Russia is characterized as the deadly, musclebound former bodyguard of the Russian Prime Minister and ex-member of that country’s elite special forces. She first appeared in issue #3 of the Mark Millar sequel series.“Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall” is currently ramping up production in Toronto, with returning cast members Aaron Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse joining newcomers Donald Faison, John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, Lindy Booth and, of course,. The film is slated for release on June 28, 2013.Does Kurkulina float your boat as Mother Russia, “Kick-Ass” fans? Sound off below.
With Hollywood continuing on its sequel craze, we’ve got a few cast additions on upcoming projects from over the weekend. Oddly all of these franchises are handing the directing reigns over to someone new and we’ll start with Kick-Ass 2. With production kicking off just a few days ago, as you can see above thanks to director Jeff Wadlow‘s informative stream, there was one mysterious cast member that has now been confirmed.Tweeted a few days ago, we saw an intimidated Christopher Mintz-Plasse next to the character of Mother Russia, but no one could peg down who was playing the ex-KBG officer that fights in Red Mist’s gang.
Now thanks to (via ) the actress (or rather bodybuilder) is confirmed to be Olga Kurkulina and to get the role she dedicated three weeks of casting competing against others from America, Switzerland and Holland. Check out the initial photo, as well as one with her and her trainers and then a jib-filled one from the current set.Update: A reader sent in some more photos from the set, featuring our first look at Mother Russia. Check them out below.Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Faison, John Leguizamo, Andy Nyman, Jim Carrey and more will also star in Kick-Ass 2, arriving on June 28th, 2013.In another sequel casting update, reports that David Thewlis has been added to the ensemble of Dean Parisot‘s Red 2, which sees Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich and Mary-Louise Parker all returning, as well as newcomers Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Byun-Hun Lee. Thewlis, who I adored most in Mike Leigh‘s Naked, is likely most recognized from his Harry Potter role and he joins this sequel as The Frog, “an information dealer who got his name by poisoning the water supply at the Kremlin using a poisonous Amazonian frog.” Hopefully the Galaxy Quest helmer improves greatly on the overpraised original when this one arrives on August 2nd, 2013.Lastly, Scary Movie 5 has kicked off production with Undercover Brother director Malcolm Lee at the helm and we’ve got a few last-minute additions. In the parody of Darren Aronofsky‘s Black Swan, Deadline reports that Molly Shannon has joined to play a character inspired by that of Winona Ryder, who is on her way out in the world of ballet, while Heather Locklear has been added to parody Barbara Hershey’s controlling mother role. The Perks of Being A Wallflower‘s Kate Walsh has also joined in an undisclosed role for the ensemble, which features Ashley Tisdale, Charlie Sheen, Terry Crews and Lindsay Lohan. The film arrives in a few months on January 11th, 2013 and I hope they hire a fast editor.Which sequel are you most looking forward to?
Any casting pique your interest?