The search for the ever-elusive role of the ultimate Filipina super-heroine, Darna, has finally come to an end. All eyes are now on newcomer Jane De Leon, as she has recently been reported to have bagged the role in a “unanimous decision” by the management.
ABS-CBN News reports this announcement via an interview with ABS-CBN Films’ managing director Olivia Lamasan. In it, Lamasan reports that De Leon will be donning the famed red suit for the iconic role.
Lamasan notes, “Pinresent na si Jane sa amin a couple of years ago, and among all the 13 noon na Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) presented from Star Magic, natatandaan ng isang talent handler na ‘Inang. napansin mo na siya noon, itong batang ito puwedeng sumali ng beauty pageants’. And then I saw her again in ‘Halik.’ Sabi ko, ‘Itong batang ‘to, meron.’ There’s something about her.”
Following the much talked-about departure of Liza Soberano from the lead role, over 300 celebrities were said to have auditioned for the role from Star Magic to Star Hunt, from which De Leon was handpicked by the management behind the return of Darna to modern Filipino cinema.
The acclaimed director adds, “Natuwa nga ako na isa siya sa mga nag-audition. Sabi ko ay there’s something about her. Pati si Direk Lauren (Dyogi) said there’s something about her. Bilang filmmakers, may nakikita kami. Malakas ang instinct ng bata.”
Acclaimed film director, Jerrold Tarog, who landed the directorship of the anticipated film from another legendary filmmaker Erik Matti, agrees of the immense potential of the young actress that befits the beloved role.
De Leon is an exclusive talent at Star Magic, who has first made it to the small screen with roles in shows like the fantasy epic series, La Luna Sangre, and the 2017 drama, opposite Jericho Rosales in Halik.
Lamasan shares, when De Leon was asked about her preparedness for the role, the newcomer replied, “I will do everything and anything for the role because I believe in her, I believe in what Darna stands for.”
This marks as the end of the long search for the newest actress to join the pantheon of legends who breathed life to the icon like Sharon Cuneta, Nanette Medved, Anjanette Abayari, and Angel Locsin. For months, several names have floated especially in the Internet-sphere of actress that would be interesting to see reprise the role, from Nadine Lustre, to Pia Wurtzbach, and even Julia Barretto.
Lamasan adds, “‘Yung Darna story natin ngayon is a genesis story, a coming of age. Ang requirement talaga is somebody na young and with an air of innocence but at the same time a strength of character.”
De Leon is set to soar onto the big screen with the return of Darna in its undisclosed screening.