Darna (2016 film)
| Darna | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Erik Matti |
| Produced by |
|
| Based on |
Darna by Mars Ravelo Nestor Redondo |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Star Cinema |
Release dates | 2016 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language |
Filipino English |
Darna is an upcoming Filipino action fantasy superhero film based on the fictional Filipino Comics character of the same name created by Mars Ravelo, with award-winning director Erik Matti set to direct. The film will be produced by ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. and Reality Entertainment and would mark the return of Ravelo's comic superheroes to cinemas.
Production
Development
The Ravelo family gave ABS-CBN the rights to the other characters created by Mars Ravelo in an agreement last 2013. Such comic characters included Dyesebel and Captain Barbell; ABS-CBN officially acquired the exclusive rights to 13 Mars Ravelo titles. Ravelo, represented by his son Rex Ravelo and his daughter Rita Ravelo-Dela Cruz, inked the deal with ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN broadcast head Cory Vidanes, and chief finance officer Rolando Valdueza.[1][2] The film was first announced in 2013 by Star Cinema, and Erik Matti was hired to direct the film.[3] In 2014, Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos confirmed that actress Angel Locsin, who portrayed Darna in the 2005 GMA teleserye, would be reprising the role of the iconic superhero in an upcoming Darna movie. During an interview with ABS-CBN, Angel said that the yet untitled Darna movie was one of the biggest projects ever done by the film company.[4][5]
You have no idea how big this is. Even I was shocked. They (Star Cinema) did not tell me. I said 'Wait, is this really big?' As in, never did I experience this kind of big project or heard of it.[3]
Two years later, Locsin pulled out of the Darna project. On October 26, 2015 Locsin stated on her Instagram account that she could no longer play Darna. According to a press statement from ABS-CBN, the actress was dealing with health concerns.[6] Angel developed a disc bulge in her spine due to strenuous training.[7]
Background
Darna is a fictional character and Filipino comics superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. In her more popular incarnations, she is a deceased warrior from another planet manifesting herself through a girl from Earth, named Narda. She first appeared in Pilipino Komiks (Ace Publications, Inc.) #77 (May 13, 1950).[8] Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, whose stories he wrote and illustrated himself. She first appeared in Bulaklak Magazine, Volume 4, #17 (July 23, 1947). Ravelo left Bulaklak due to the differences with the editors.[9]Mars Ravelo's Darna is a superheroine that began as a concept before World War II/late 1939. Mars Ravelo (1916–1988), a then young pioneering illustrator from Tanza, Cavite, thought of creating a female counterpart for Superman because he believed in the concept that America is "male" and the Philippines is "female."[10] Ravelo's inspiration for Darna's heroic qualities came from his childhood fascination with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman (who first debuted in Action Comics No. 1 on June 30, 1938).
Casting
Angel Locsin was supposed to reprise her role as Darna. However, Locsin developed a disc bulge in her spine and was soon considered a minor handicap because of her injury; as a result she chose to leave the project.[7] Star Cinema then released a survey that contained a list of all possible actresses who seemed fit enough to portray Darna. This list included the likes of Jessy Mendiola, Maja Salvador, Ritz Azul, Liza Soberano, Nadine Lustre, KC Concepcion, Bea Alonzo, Arci Munoz, Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado, Cristine Reyes, Erich Gonzales, Julia Montes, and Alex Gonzaga among others.[11] Locsin also clarified on her Instagram account that ABS-CBN had already chosen the actress for Darna, but did not mention her name.[11]
Marketing
The film's first teaser was released prior to the screening of selected film entries at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival such as Beauty and the Bestie and All You Need Is Pag-Ibig. [12][13] The short teaser stopped short of revealing the identity of the actress, but did feature her voice and shots of her figure.[14]
References
- ↑ "Darna-Dyesebel Now Officially Kapamilya Stars". ABS CBN. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ ""Darna", "Dyesebel", " Captain Barbell" and other Mars Ravelo Creations are now Kapamilya". Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Angel Locsin Return Darna New Movie". rappler. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Darna through the years". thepoc.net. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "Angel Locsin to portray the role of darna movie this 2014". philnews. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ↑ "ABS CBN Statement for Angel Locsin". ABS CBN. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Angel Locsin leaves "Darna" movie". rappler. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ↑ Darna internationalhero.co.uk
- ↑ Mars Ravelo
- ↑ Darna: The Filipino Superheroine
- 1 2 "Angel Locsin Darna No More Due to Health Reasons". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ↑ "Star Cinema releases Darna teaser.". Astig.ph. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ↑ "Darna nanggugulat sa sinehan". Balita.net. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ↑ "Look is she the new "Darna"?". ABS CBN. Retrieved 27 March 2016.