News spread that the longest running joke in the Yolki franchise, Sergei Svetlakov and Ivan Urgant, might not appear in the ninth installment. Evgeny Kulik, the director, spoke to Gazeta and clarified that the precise cast of Yolki 9 remains under wraps.
According to Kulik, the question of whether Ivan Urgant and Sergei Svetlakov participate in New Yolki is still a mystery. The director emphasized that the project will deliver many surprises, and the cast details will be revealed gradually in the coming weeks. He also expressed a hope that the audience would be kept eagerly anticipating the eventual announcement, with information to come sooner rather than later as the production progresses.
Kulik spoke about his ambitions for the film, aiming to exceed audience expectations in terms of both tone and scale. He highlighted that the team has set out to create an experience that feels fresh while staying true to the spirit of the Yolki series. The director suggested that this installment will bring a new level of cinematic polish and a different kind of warmth suitable for multiple viewings, not just a single holiday night.
Fans of the eight previous Yolki films took note when Svetlakov and Urgant, the central figures of the ensemble comedy, were reached for comment via social media channels but chose not to respond to inquiries circulated by media outlets such as socialbites.ca. The silent stance from the duo added to the intrigue surrounding Yolki 9 and the evolving cast lineup.
What is known for certain is the ensemble announced for Yolki 9. Victoria Agalakova, Fedor Dobronravov, Grigory Kalinin, Elena Zakharova, and Rostislav Bershauer are listed as part of the cast. Evgeny Kulik is continuing to work alongside his collaborators Alexandra Lupashko and Sergey Naumov to bring the project to life. The film is scheduled for release on December 1, 2022, signaling a festive return to the multiplexes for Russian audiences.
Evgeny Kulik has built a career with diverse screen roles and behind the camera work. He appeared in the features I’m Losing Weight, released in 2018, 2050 from 2019, and The Island, which ran from 2016 through 2018. He also played Tolya-Robot in 2019. In addition to performing, Kulik contributed as a writer on A Couple from the Future, released in 2021, and contributed a short story to the Yolki 8 anthology that same year. These credits underscore a breadth of experience that informs his approach to Yolki 9 and his confidence in delivering a film that resonates with a broad audience across Russia and neighboring markets.