(ynetnews.com) | Following a series of frustrations and disappointments, it seems as though Hollywood is finally smiling on Israeli actor Aki Avni. He’ll soon be filming a movie called “Homeland Security” starring Antonio Banderas, Meg Ryan and Colin Hanks.
This romantic comedy, written and directed by George Gallo, evolves around an uptight young federal agent who finds himself having to spy on his sexually liberated mother and her new lover after the FBI links him to an international art theft ring. Filming on the movie (not to be confused with the already released “Homeland Security,” which is now on DVD) has just begun.
Avni will play one of the FBI men and will appear on screen for several minutes.
“This is a breakthrough for me, my first all-American role,” Avni said. “I am very pleased that an American director thought I was capable of playing an American role. I am fed up of playing ‘foreigners.’”
Avni said he was initially assigned a different role, that of a Frenchman. However, the director decided he was able to carry the American character through.
That’s not all: Next month the series “Jihad” will be aired throughout Europe, in which Avni plays the part of an U.S. colonel.
“I don’t regret the past four years I have spent here [in the United States],” he said. “Despite the difficulties for a young actor, it’s been an amazing experience.” He said his goal is to act alongside established professionals such as Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Depp and Uma Thurman.
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California