(SPOT.ph) The coveted role of Darna is still up for grabs ever since Liza Soberano announced that she'll be withdrawing from the project after five years of working on it. Soberano backed out of the highly anticipated adaptation because of a finger injury she got on the set of Bagani while doing a stunt. It wasn't just fans who were shocked by Soberano's decision. Even Erik Matti, who was supposed to direct the film, says that he was also taken aback by the announcement. (Matti backed out prior to Soberano's withdrawal due to creative differences and was replaced by Jerrold Tarog.)
In an Instagram post, he says, "Surprised to hear about [Soberano] letting go of Darna. You would have been great for the part. I wish you all the best. Definitely, there’s life after Darna. Take care always, Hope. Don’t cry no more."Â
Just like everyone else, Matti doesn't know who'll be replacing Soberano as the superheroine. But in an interview with The Philippine Star's Ricky Lo, Matti says he thinks Nadine Lustre would be fit for the role. "After [Soberano], I only see Nadine Lustre so far as someone who can be Darna. Very sultry. She has a lot of female sensuality and at the same time still looks tough and very Filipina. The key to casting Darna has always been someone who can look plain and ordinary in her Narda alter ego but can be tough, spunky and can be very sexy as well when she transforms to Darna. Nadine can look all of that."
There's no word yet on who'll be playing the iconic role, but ABS-CBN and Star Cinema say they've already "started the selection process for the new actress who will bring the iconic character to life on the big screen."
