EXCLUSIVE: Meet the new King of the Cross: Home and Away heartthrob to play John Ibrahim after being handpicked by the nightclub identity for Aussie mini-series based on his life - after Zac Efron knocked it back
- Lincoln Younes set to star as John Ibrahim in Paramount + series
- The half-Lebanese actor was cast after an exhaustive international search
- Zac Efron also allegedly approached but declined due to his busy schedule
- Younes best known for his three-year stint as Casey Braxton on Home and Away
- The actor recently appeared in the US flick Grant Hotel with Eva Longoria
- Younes shares similar blue eyed-dark-skinned complexion with Ibrahim
- Last King Of The Cross to begin production in Sydney next week
- The series is written by Kieran Darcy Smith who also penned Animal Kingdom
Colourful Sydney identity John Ibrahim has finally found his on-screen 'king' in ex-Home and Away heartthrob Lincoln Younes.
After an exhaustive search spanning almost two years, it's understood Younes - who is half Australian and half Lebanese - beat out a number of other actors vying to play Ibrahim in the book-turned-mini-series Last King Of The Cross.
Sources close to the production say that Ibrahim - who was 'very particular' about who will play him - was impressed with Younes' acting ability and his similarly dark complexion and light eyes.
Production on the multi-part series is due to start next week in Sydney.
Aussie actor Lincoln Younes is set to play John Ibrahim in the autobiographical Last King of the Cross TV mini-series. He is pictured above portraying a surfer in the ABC drama Barons
Younes impressed Ibrahim with his acting ability and his similar dark complexion and light eyes
The real John Ibrahim pictured recently (with partner Sarah Budge and friend Mim Salvado at Kyle Sandilands' baby shower
Ibrahim was born in Tripoli, Lebanon and emigrated to Australia in the early 70s before making his way in Sydney's nightlife scene - a rise which will form the backdrop of the upcoming series.
Younes, meanwhile, was born and raised in Australia by his single mother but his biological father hails from Lebanon.
While still just 30 years old, Younes is something of a small screen veteran in Australia and has appeared in string of popular shows including Home and Away, Tangle, Doctor Doctor and Love Child.
He recently filmed a supporting role in the Channel Nine series After The Verdict (which is yet to air) and a smaller role in the ABC surf drama Barons.
Younes (L) shot to fame as Casey Braxton on Home and Away
Younes' biggest role to date was in the US film Grand Hotel (pictured) starring Eva Longoria
His casting in the Paramount + drama Last King of the Cross follows something of a tireless search for a lead star according to a source close to the production who says Ibrahim initially had his sights set on US actor Oscar Isaac.
Focus then shifted to Zac Efron however both men are said to have passed.
Rumours swirled earlier this year that Firass Dirani, who played Ibrahim in the 2010 Underbelly Series The Golden Mile, may even return to reprise his breakout role.
However Dirani shut down the rumours, telling The Daily Mail Australia back in February how 'that chapter is closed'.
Meanwhile it is not the first time Younes has gotten in touch with his Lebanese roots for a screen role.
He played a young Lebanese man Hassim in the 2015 Sydney Film Festival dark comedy Down Under.
Zac Efron was one of a handful of actors who passed on the lead role due to scheduling conflicts
Star Wars star Oscar Isaac rumoured to have been John Ibrahim's dream pick
Speaking about the part at the time, Younes told The Daily Mail Australia he was proud to explore his ethnic background while filming the movie based on the aftermath of the Cronulla Riots.
'It was something that I wanted to explore, it meant I could research that side of myself,' he said.
'I've been fortunate, I haven't really been affected by racism but I have a lot of friends that have been,' Lincoln added, before explaining the film definitely intends to challenge cultural stereotypes.
'There's a lot of Lebanese (people) in Lebanon if you go there, who look like I do... so it's actually about approaching those stereotypes and realising they are stereotypes,' he said.
Last King Of The Cross is set to play out across three episodes and explore John's relationship with his brother Sam as they ascend to power in Sydney's nightclub scene during the nineties and beyond.
John Ibrahim recently welcomed his third child - Elvis - his first with partner Sarah Budge
Paramount + series Last King Of The Cross based on Ibrahim's self-penned book of the same name
Produced by former Endemol Shine CEO Mark Fennessy, the series is based of the autobiography of the same name published back in 2017 that went on to become a bestseller for Pan Macmillan.
The series has been penned by acclaimed screenwriter Kieran Darcy-Smith who is best known for his work on Animal Kingdom and Wolf Creek. Ibrahim himself will be a producer.
Filming is due to begin in and around Sydney next week with a purpose-built set - a complete recreation of Kings Cross' infamous 'Golden Mile' - believed to have been painstakingly pieced together for the production.
It's believed the shoot will take place over several weeks and that much of the production crew involved were a part of the massive team involved recently worked on Thor: Love and Thunder.
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2022-03-16 02:00:00Z
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