Actress Priyanka Chopra's Hollywood kitty is on an expansion spree. She will play the love interest of Chris Pratt in "Cowboy Ninja Viking".
The role in Universal's big-budget tentpole was one of the more highly coveted, and Priyanka beat out a slew of talent after a chemistry test with Pratt went extremely well, reports variety.com.
Priyanka, who shot to fame in American showbiz with "Quantico", is coming off the series' final season. She most recently appeared in "A Kid Like Jake", opposite Jim Parsons and Claire Danes, and the Dwayne Johnson-starrer "Baywatch".
She can next be seen in the comedy "Isn't It Romantic" with Rebel Wilson.
Priyanka was due to star in Indian period drama "Bharat" opposite Salman Khan, but opted out of it for "a very special reason" -- as per the film's director Ali Abbas Zafar -- just last week. It fuelled speculations that she may have been engaged to singer-songwriter Nick Jonas.
"Cowboy Ninja Viking, which is in pre-production, is being directed by "Game of Thrones" fame Michelle MacLaren from a screenplay by Dan Mazeau, Ryan Engle, Craig Mazin, Paul Wernick and David Reese.
Based on the Image Comics graphic novel by A.J. Lieberman and illustrator Riley Rossmo, the story revolves around a counter-intelligence unit formed by psychotherapist Sebastian Ghislain, who transforms agents known as Triplets, a reference to multiple personalities.
Pratt is playing a formidable agent with the fighting skills and personalities of a cowboy, a ninja,and a viking.
The film, currently in pre-production, is slated for a June 28, 2019, release, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
One lady who is not a trophy or puppet of #Bollywood “males”. Respect! Go Priyanka!!!
— Abhishek (@SingingYak) July 31, 2018
This is for all the people who were losing their marbles in "the nick of time" Congrats
— Smita0912 (@Smita09122) July 31, 2018
Good for her.
— Prajakta Laud (@MorningPrincess) July 31, 2018
Priyanka Chopra quit Bharat, starring Salman Khan, on an amicable note. Director Ali Abbas Zafar in his tweet announcing Priyanka's exit said: "The reason is very, very special. She told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her."
Ali's tweet fell into place when People Magazine and E! reported that Priyanka and singer Nick Jonas had gotten engaged on her birthday some days earlier. Later, it was reported that Priyanka had actually dropped out of the project because of her salary and "last minute additions" to the cast.
Yes Priyanka Chopra is no more part of @Bharat_TheFilm & and the reason is very very special , she told us in the Nick of time about her decision and we are very happy for her ... Team Bharat wishes @priyankachopra loads of love & happiness for life 😊😉😍
— ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) July 27, 2018
Priyanka's place in Bharat will now be filled by Katrina Kaif, who last collaborated with Salman Khan and Ali Abbas Zafar on Tiger Zinda Hai. Salman Khan welcomed Katrina to team Bharat on Monday:
Ek sundar aur shusheel ladki jiska Naam hai Katrina Kaif .... Swagat hai aapka #Bharat ki zindagi mein ... pic.twitter.com/XDVyiNCPBI
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) July 30, 2018
Bharat also stars Disha Patani and Tabu and the film is expected to release on Eid 2019. It is the Hindi adaptation of South Korean film Ode To My Father.
Meanwhile, Cowboy Ninja Viking will be directed by Michelle MacLaren (Game Of Thrones and Breaking Bad). The filmmakers are aiming for a June 2019 release.
Priyanka Chopra has three Hollywood films on her resume already - Baywatch, A Kid Like Jake and Isn't It Romantic. Priyanka has also signed Shonali Bose's The Sky Is Pink, opposite Farhan Akhtar.