If not because of the pandemic and non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, Joshua Garcia could have played the character of Janus Silang.
Jerry Gracio, ABS-CBN writer and Palanca awardee, divulged on June 17, the supposed plans for the Filipino comic Janus Silang.
Following the success of Netflix’s anime Trese, which is also based on a Filipino comic book series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, Janus Silang is now anticipated to follow suit.
However, Gracio revealed that the initial plan for Janus Silang is not an anime series but a live-action series.
The ABS-CBN writer said that Garcia was pitched to play the title role, but due to the pandemic, non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, and the actor’s age, it didn’t push through as planned.
Hindi anime ang plano sa Janus Silang. Live action. Si Joshua Garcia sana si Janus. Mahirap lang gawin, dumating ang pandemic, nawalan ng prangkisa, hindi na bagets si Joshua, epal ang mga tiyanak, etc.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) June 17, 2021
In 2018, ABS-CBN earned the TV rights of Janus Silang.
GMO Entertainment Unit is the ABS-CBN leg that is assigned to work for the project.
The comic book series Janus Silang was penned by Edgar Calabia Samar and currently, it has three volumes: Si Janus Sílang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon, Si Janus Sílang at ang Labanáng Manananggal-Mambabarang, and Si Janus Sílang at ang Pitumpu’t Pitong Pusong.
The story of Janus Silang, a teenager, began after playing the online game TALA (Terra Anima Legion of Anitos), where he was the only one who survived as the other players died.
He then launched his quest beyond the world of online games where he encountered Filipino mythical creatures.
