Actor Anh Tu Atus expressed his apprehension when first receiving the script for "The Demon Prince", an 18+ film. He found himself under pressure, stepping into the complex role of Than Duc, a villainous prince from the Le Trung Hung period (1533-1789). This marked his first time portraying a character with such intricate inner turmoil, a departure from his usual "Prince Charming" roles.

Than Duc, while appearing cold and cruel, harbors a deep loneliness due to a lack of affection. To prepare, Anh Tu rewrote his interpretations of the character and shared them with director Tran Huu Tan and producer Hoang Quan. He also consulted with his wife, actress Dieu Nhi, and together they delved into the story. They ultimately decided to focus on the element of family emotion to explore the character's depth. Anh Tu credits his wife's input for helping him feel more at ease on set and even proposing additional scenes to the director. "I am fortunate to have Dieu Nhi accompany and support me in completing difficult roles," he stated.

Director Tran Huu Tan revealed that Anh Tu Atus remained secluded in his room for one month during filming in Da Lat, Lam Dong, to maintain continuous psychological immersion for the role. Anh Tu was an early choice for the lead due to his suitable appearance for a historical drama. Despite this, Tran Huu Tan invited him to an audition for a complete assessment of his capabilities. Initially, the director and producer considered abandoning the project after reading the complex script. However, after seeing Anh Tu's performance, they gained "more faith in the project" and committed to seeing it through.

The producer of "The Demon Prince" developed the project over five years, drawing inspiration from Phan Cuong's novel "Strange Tales of the Ly Dynasty", published in 2017. The film centers on Prince Than Duc's plot to turn a village's inhabitants into his pawns to summon a demon. Village elder Lo Dat (Luong The Thanh) soon uncovers the scheme and embarks on a journey to find help for his villagers and rescue his daughter from being sacrificed.

Luong The Thanh and Anh Tu Atus on the film's red carpet premiere, on the afternoon of 2/12. Photo: Ton Phong

Anh Tu, 33 years old, studied at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema. During his studies, he worked part-time at a studio, parking cars and making tea for customers to support himself. His first opportunity came with the short film "Hanoi, I Love You", directed by Luk Van. In 2016, he appeared in the cinematic release "4 Years, 2 Guys, one Love", starring alongside Harry Lu and Midu. Anh Tu also gained prominence in theater with plays like "Bangkok Love Story" and "Battle of the Handsome Men".

His filmography has since expanded to include "Go Back to Get My Wife" (2019), "Sister Muoi Ba: three Days of Life and Death" (2021), "Super Swindler Meets Super Scammer" (2023), and "Meet My Pregnant Sister Again" (2024). He also participated in the reality show "Anh Trai Say Hi". Anh Tu married actress Dieu Nhi in 2022, after a relationship of nearly 10 years.

Mai Nhat