More than a decade after Iza Calazado missed out on the chance to play Darna, she’s finally getting a second shot at the the iconic role on ABS-CBN’s upcoming TV series.
ABS-CBN Head of TV Production Laurenti Dyogi dropped the news during a virtual interview for the actress’ birthday. "Iza will officially be part of the Darna TV series that will start shooting last quarter,” he said.
Although he didn’t disclose Iza’s official role, Philippine Star reports Iza is set to turn over the magical white stone to her younger counterpart, the new Darna, to be played by Jane de Leon.
“Finally, I can claim to be part of the Pinoy superhero history! I almost had the chance in the past, but God had other plans. I was not meant to be that Darna but he surely prepared me to play this Darna,” Iza told The STAR in a statement.
FYI, Iza was first given the opportunity to play the heroine in the 2005 GMA Network adaptation, which eventually went to Angel Locsin.
In the same online interview, Iza revealed she’s been attached to the project since 2017, back when Liza Soberano was still slated to play Darna. “Movie pa 'yun, ang dami nang dumaan, changing of seasons and people and nandito pa rin ako," she said. Liza backed out of the then Star Cinema film in 2019 due to a finger injury.
Iza, on the other hand, has been training for the project for the past four years, having already gone through sessions with both Liza and Jane. She’s also been sitting on the secret for just as long. “Everything always happens in His perfect time. I call it Divine Timing. Being a hero during these challenging times is exciting and female one at that just means so much more. Of course, I do recognize that with great power comes great responsibility. As cliché as it sounds, there is truth to this,” Iza told Phil Star.
In a tweet by journalist MJ Felipe, he mentioned that a formal announcement regarding Iza’s role will still be made during “a big event for the DARNA project.”
After production was stalled last year, filming for the show will reportedly push through this September.
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