It has now been confirmed that the stars of 'Iris', Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee will not be reprising their roles for 'Iris 2.'

Rumors were flying on August 23rd that 'Iris 2' was gearing up to start filming in early next year and on August 24th, the production company stated that the only thing that is confirmed is that Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee will not be returning.

Jung Tae Won of Taewon Entertainment, the production company behind 'Iris' stated to Newsen, "There is no timetable for when the drama will go in production or when it will air.  Because part 2 will be completely different from part 1 in terms of the story, Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee will no longer make an appearance.  We have not cast any roles as of yet."

'Iris' was broadcast on KBS2 in 2009 and starred Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Hee, Jung Jun Ho, Kim Seung Woo, Kim So Yeon and Big Bang's T.O.P. With such an A list cast, even from the beginning, the drama had an explosive popularity garnering a 39.9% viewer rating.

Because 'Iris' was a massive hit, people hoped that the main characters Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee would star in part 2 but that is not to be.  Lee Byung Hun is preparing to star in 'Red 2' with Bruce Willis and after starring in the Japanese drama, 'The 99 Days with Me and the Star' in 2011, Kim Tae Hee is carefully reviewing scripts to decide her next project.

Taewon Entertainment is gearing up to film 'Marrying the Mafia 5: Return to the Mafia' thus delaying production on 'Iris 2.'  According to Jung Tae Ho, Kim Hyun Jun who wrote the script for 'Iris' will not be returning to pen 'Iris 2' and the writing of the series has not begun yet either.

Representative Jung is currently focusing on 'Marrying the Mafia 5' and planning out the next steps for 'Iris 2.'

Source: Newsen via Nate