After all the hiccups, ABS-CBN’s Darna project will proceed but this time as a teleserye.
In a Bandera article by Reggee Bonoan, it was reported that ABS-CBN is pushing through with the Darna project still with Jane de Leon as the lead.
Darna was supposed to make a comeback on the big screen but different circumstances got in the way.
The project was initially given to Angel Locsin and Director Erik Matti. However, in the middle of the production, Angel met an accident that injured her spine causing her to back out from the project.
Liza Soberano then replaced Angel, but Erik Matti soon left the project due to personal differences with the producers.
Director Jerrold Tarog took over, but Liza had to back out also due to a finger injury which according to her will prevent her from doing stunts.
After that, ABS-CBN had an open audition for her replacement which eventually went to Jane de Leon.
While Jane already started filming the project, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the production. Because of the quarantine restrictions and strict health protocols, ABS-CBN then decided to shelve the project in the meantime.
However, despite all the circumstances that delayed the movie, ABS-CBN decided to still push through with the Darna comeback but this time as a teleserye.
Meanwhile, according to Bonoan, it is not yet confirmed it Tarog will also direct the TV version of Darna or ABS-CBN will give it to another director since Tarog was contracted for the film.
Prior to this upcoming Darna teleserye, the last TV adaptation of the iconic Pinay superhero was in 2009 by GMA Network which starred Marian Rivera in the lead role.
ABS-CBN’s Darna teleserye is set to premiere first in iWantTFC in 2021 before it air on A2Z Channel 11 and Kapamilya Channel on cable.
