The upcoming Darna adaptation has faced a few controversies and there’s a new one: it is reportedly being dropped.
A showbiz insider told Pep.ph that Star Cinema is dropping due to a “business decision.”
According to Pep.ph, production costs have reached P140 million.
The insider added that now, ABS-CBN, which owns Star Cinema, is sending “feelers” to GMA and TV5 to see if they are interested in buying the rights for it to be turned into a TV show.
This adaptation of Darna has become known for its many changes in its lead star, director, and even the storyline.
Star Cinema first acquired the rights to develop Mars Ravelo’s comic in 2013, with Erik Matti as the director.
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Angel Locsin is the first actress to be tied to the role after starring as the heroine in a GMA teleserye in 2005. In 2015, it was announced that Locsin’s disc bulge was triggered due to the intensity of training. She temporarily dropped the role and went on therapy sessions. However, she permanently left the project in 2017 when she experienced pain while training.
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Liza Soberano was the next actress to be attached to the role. Everyone was excited, and Soberano even got the blessing of previous Darna actresses like Locsin, Vilma Santos, and Sharon Cuneta. It was then announced that Matti is leaving the film due to creative differences and was replaced by Jerrold Tarog.
In 2019, the Heneral Luna director said that he is changing the script and even Darna’s costume to make it more practical.
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The same year, Soberano dropped out of the role after experiencing a finger bone structure while shooting her teleserye Bagani. Following her departure, it was announced that Jane de Leon will be taking on the role of Darna. She was selected out of 170 auditionees and seven shortlisted actors. Like Soberano, de Leon received the blessing of Locsin, Soberano, and even Marian Rivera.
They have already shot for 16 days until production was put on hold because of the community quarantine brought on by COVID-19.
With all the changes, the showbiz insider said that the production have already spent P140 million (P20 million during Locsin’s time, P70 million during Soberano’s, and P50 million during de Leon’s). However, the insider added that they will need an additional P100 million.
And now, Darna has been dropped… for now. We hope it will be picked up again!
What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
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