Guess we’ll just have to keep waiting for the Darna movie.
The film project, first announced in 2014, suffered another setback after its producer ABS-CBN announced last night that actress Liza Soberano will no longer be playing the titular role due to an injury.
The statement appeared on ABS-CBN’s website and ABS-CBN PR’s social media accounts.
ABS-CBN and its film production company Star Cinema said that Soberano is officially withdrawing from the movie project because of a finger bone fracture she got from a fight scene on the set of her drama fantasy TV series Bagani last year.
READ: Official statement of ABS-CBN and Star Cinema on Liza Soberano's personal decision to withdraw from the Darna Project. | via @mjfelipe pic.twitter.com/GyALbf5K3i
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 4, 2019
“Liza suffered a finger bone fracture while doing a fight scene on the set of ‘Bagani’ last year. She is still undergoing treatment and recovering from the trauma.
Unfortunately, after consultation with her doctors, it was deemed best for Liza not to pursue the project as the injury shall hamper her from effectively doing the movie stunts required.”
ABS-CBN said that pre-production for the film Darna will continue and that they’ve started the selections process for a new lead.
Darna is one of the most iconic Filipino comic book characters of all time. Introduced by Mars Ravelo in 1950, she’s kind of like the local version of Wonder Woman. Playing her in a film or TV show is a really big deal and many actors consider it a career milestone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cshyxIfy6I
The superhero has appeared in several movies and TV shows in the past but this particular production has been particularly problematic. A teaser for the film was released during the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2015 before a lead actress was even confirmed for the role.
It was supposed to be played by Angel Locsin, who had played Darna on television, but she had to quit in 2015 due to a spine injury. Then in October, award-winning filmmaker Erik Matti (On the Job) bowed out of the film due to “creative differences” and was replaced by director Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna).
Netizens had mixed reactions about the news about Soberano quitting.
Actress and singer Lea Salonga said she’d love to see someone morena (brown-skinned) to represent darker-skinned Filipino women.
“[T]o let them know they are powerful and beautiful exactly as they are,” she said. “I’d also love for her to be a relative unknown. Let the story sell the film. That is all.”
So, what would I love to see as Darna? Someone morena or kayumanggi to represent the darker skinned Pinays to let them know they are powerful and beautiful exactly as they are. I’d also love for her to be a relative unknown. Let the story sell the film. That is all.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) April 5, 2019
Others like @zepolocram have already thought of other actresses to play the role.
“Yassi Pressman is my best bet to replace Liza Soberano as Darna. Who’s yours?”
Yassi Pressman is my best bet to replace Liza Soberano as Darna. Who's yours?
— Marco Lopez (@zepolocram) April 4, 2019
@ceejayader said: “omg now that Liza Soberano is out from Darna, why not Maja Salvador!!! right? right? right!!! we argued about this before but people of the Philippines wake up!! Maja can give justice to the iconic role!!”
omg now that liza soberano is out from Darna, why not Maja Salvador!!! diba? diba? diba!!! we argued about this before but people of the Philippines wake up!! Maja can give justice to the iconic role!! @dprincessmaja pic.twitter.com/dnviZk2ZzY
— supermaj (@ceejayader) April 4, 2019
Twitter user @Jjaamiiee said in English and Filipino: “The training for Darna must be super crucial?? Imagine, both Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano had to quit because they have injuries that can’t heal fast.”
https://twitter.com/Jjaamiiee/status/1113772709706526720
“I’m really scared to heard (sic) that Liza Soberano is gone as #Darna… So heartbreaking for a Pinay Superhero we’ve all been waiting for in many Decades,” said @AiRaVillarTa.
I'm really scared to heard that Liza Soberano is gone as #Darna…
So heartbreaking for a Pinay Superhero we've all been waiting for in many Decades…— Aira Villarta (@AiRaVillarTa) April 4, 2019
“Sad to hear Liza Soberano’s reason for dropping out of the Darna movie. I hope no one shits on her because nobody deserves such health issue, let’s just wish her well,” said @__geeyuh.
Sad to hear Liza Soberano's reason for dropping out of the Darna movie. I hope no one shits on her because nobody deserves such health issue, let's just wish her well.
— gee. (@_cheeyuhseeds) April 4, 2019
One netizen with the Twitter handle @DoctoleroSushi said: “First it was Angel, then Direk Matti and now Liza. I’ll wait for Direk @JerroldTarog to resign.”
Tarog quoted the tweet and said last night: “No, [I won’t resign]. We’re still busy. They informed me about Liza’s decision weeks ago. I was quite sad about it, but her health is more important. Just wait for the new #Darna.”
https://twitter.com/JerroldTarog/status/1113827603540873217
Who do you want to play Darna? Leave a comment below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
