Jerrold Tarog explains choosing Jane de Leon as the new ‘Darna’

• Jerrold Tarog replaced the original director Erik Matti last year
• A few months after Liza Soberano dropped the project, ABS-CBN announced that Jane de Leon will be the new Darna.
• De Leon bested 300 other hopefuls including Maris Racal, Julia Barretto, Loisa Andalio and many others

A few months after Liza Soberano backed out due to her finger injury, Jane De Leon was named as the new actress who will be playing Darna.

According to ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan, Jane was picked from over 300 celebrities who auditioned, including hopefuls from Star Magic, Starhunt, talent scouts, and agencies.

Lamasan also said that she was unanimously voted by the ABS-CBN Films management to don the iconic superheroine costume.

In earlier reports, Darna director Jerrold Tarog described De Leon as an “instinctive” actress.

On Twitter a few hours after the announcement, Tarog explained their choice. “Glad it’s finally out. The execs wanted a new face for Darna & I was all for it. Thus, open auditions—newbies, celebs, chinita, mestiza, morena, etc basta 🇵🇭. The short list was a good mix but ultimately it was about who could carry the role. @Imjanedeleon was a unanimous choice,” he tweeted.

Glad it’s finally out. The execs wanted a new face for Darna & I was all for it. Thus, open auditions—newbies, celebs, chinita, mestiza, morena, etc basta 🇵🇭. The short list was a good mix but ultimately it was about who could carry the role. @Imjanedeleon was a unanimous choice. pic.twitter.com/6JY8sKcpgT

— Jerrold Tarog (@JerroldTarog) July 18, 2019

Tarog took over directorial duties in October 2018 after its original director Erik Matti dropped out of the project, followed by star Liza Soberano.