In a recent emotional interview with ABS-CBN, Liza Soberano has withdrawn from the role of ‘Darna’ due to a fractured right index finger she accidentally got when she was still in Bagani. The actress shared her stories of undergoing multiple therapies and surgeries, but unfortunately is still in need of constant treatment. She believed that this might cause some hindrance on some of the high-action stunts that the character demands for the modern film reboot. Since then, many fans have aired their suggestions of their favored actress for the vacant role. Stars like Maja Salvador, Jessy Mendiola, and Pia Wurtzbach have been popularly advocated by netizens in social media. Even the famed film director Erik Matti has shared his personal pick which is Nadine Lustre.
But in my opinion, these suggested stars are too mainstream to the point that they’re just all in the same category. Meaning, what you can expect from Maja would just be the same as what you can expect from Jessy, or Nadine, or Kim Chiu, or Kathryn Bernardo, or so on and so on, or even Angel Locsin. To be honest, I wasn’t even that impressed with Angel Locsin’s portrayal of Darna in the TV series, but I’ll mainly blame GMA’s production on that. It seems like these producers are just doing the same old trick to make money: invest on big names and hype-up the marketing, and put little effort on creativity. This is also perhaps the main reason why Erik Matti resigned from Star Cinema as the film’s director stating “things didn’t work out ideally for both parties” on his Instagram post.
Now if I, a fan of the Darna comics, can be of any help to this project. May I suggest someone who I think is highly suitable for this role. Someone fresh and new. May I suggest Jannie Alipo-on to be the next Darna. Here’s why:
1.) Her body structure is firm and tall, good for a super heroine. She would look good wearing the Darna costume.
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2.) She has a Filipina Look and can have that “Ate Narda” on-screen appeal
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3.) She’s strong and athletic, great for action scenes
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4.) She’s ready to kick some ass and take names
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5.) Empowering women and countrymen LITERALLY is her forte
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6.) She’s a classic “Dalagang Pilipina”
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7.) She can be simple…
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8.)… yet she can be immaculate
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9.) She can lure bad guys with a stare
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10.) Oh, and you know who else was a beauty pageant queen who became a super heroine? Gal Gadot aka Wonder Woman
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I really think the producers and the creators of this film reboot should really explore their options on who to cast as their leading star. What do you guys think? Who should be the next Darna?