THE search is finally over!
Actress Liza Soberano has been chosen to play the latest film version of “Darna” to be directed by Erik Matti.
In an exclusive interview on ABS CBN, Soberano said that she is excited and honored to play the popular comics heroine created by Mars Ravelo.
“Sobrang na-excite po ako and siyempre, I’m happy and I feel really honored to be able to don the iconic costume and to be able to embody what she represents,” said Soberano.
The 19-year-old star admitted that she has not seen any “Darna” movies since its debut in the 1950s.
“I haven’t. I’ve asked Direk Erik Matti if I can. Pero he told me na huwag muna. He wants me to go through the acting workshops and stunt training first before I watch the other movies para hindi din ako ma-influence ng ibang films.
And then from there, ia-adjust na lang po kung anong kailangan,” the actress said.
Soberano said that she will undergo different kinds of training for the action movie.
“I will undergo functional training, which is working out at the gym lang nagpapalakas po. And then eventually, I’ll have stunt training, dance workshop para sa timing and gracefulness kapag gumalaw;”
“And then I think I’ll have acting workshops again, as well as dialogue training. …I want to look physically strong and capable of doing the stunts,” she said.
For the past months, several names of popular female celebrities in the country have flaunted to play Darna after another Kapamilya star Angel Locsin turned down the offer for health reasons.
Other stars considered for the project include Nadine Lustre, Jessy Mendiola, Kathryn Bernardo, and Pia Wurtzbach.
Soberano recently starred in the blockbuster movie “My Ex and Whys” with screen partner Enrique Gil.
She told ABS CBN that she has accepted another project which she refused to reveal at the moment.
But she said that she will concentrate on “Darna” in the coming months.
“Well, so far, I’m also working on another one pero I think I’m going to focus on the shooting of the movie first and then get back to that other project,” said the 19-year-old star.
Soberano admitted though that she is nervous about “Darna”.
“Medyo nervous. Siyempre, iyong expectations ng mga tao, I want to be able to please. But of course, at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone. And ang gagawin ko na lang po is I’ll give my more than 100 percent best sa project na ito,” she said.
Before Soberano, Kapuso star Marian Rivera played the role of “Darna” on television in 2009.
Other stars who played the title role were Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Lotis Key, Rio Locsin, Nanette Medved, Anjanette Abayari, Gina Pareno, Eva Montes, and Rosa del Rosario, the first Darna.
