After many years, ABS-CBN finally fulfilled Iza Calzado’s dream of assuming the popular superheroine, Darna. ABS-CBN Head of TV Production Laurenti Dyogi announced the news during a virtual interview with Calzado for her birthday on August 12.
It was revealed that she is the “the first Darna” who will pass on the stone to Narda, portrayed by Jane de Leon, in the much-anticipated Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series.
In the past, Calzado was offered the role of Darna when she was still in GMA network. Unfortunately, she missed the opportunity for some reason and Angel Locsin was tapped to portray the iconic role in the 2005 series.
She believed that this is the right time for her to play Darna in her current network, ABS-CBN.
“Finally, I can claim to be part of the Pinoy superhero history!” Calzado said. “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. 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 cliche as it sounds, there is truth to this,” she reflected of the blessing.
She also revealed that she is now prepping up for the series by undergoing training and has already started with some stunts.
The “Darna” movie project started with Locsin in 2015 with Erik Matti as director. However, she backed out due to a back injury.
In 2019, it was passed on to Liza Soberano, but she also declined to continue after suffering from a finger injury while taping her primetime fantasy series Bagani.
In that same year, Star Cinema’s managing director Olivia Lamasan announced that De Leon bagged the role.
The film was also put on hold last year due to ABS-CBN’s franchise denial and the pandemic.
Calzado said she eagerly waited for the announcement of the project for four years since she was also tapped to take part in the 2017 project.
“Since Liza Soberano’s time until Jane de Leon’s reign as Darna, I have become the constant. It was 2017 when I was tapped to be part of this project. I had talks with our former directors Erik Matti and Jerold Tarrog about how to approach my character and (am) certainly excited to work with whoever will be at the helm of the series. I know they have the best director for this.”
She then reflected on the character of Darna amid the current tough times faced by ABS-CBN and the nation.
“At a time of great crisis, there has got to be a hero we can relate to — someone who brings out the best in us and a representation not only of our strong but loving and compassionate core.
“A hero who has learned to embrace her strengths and weaknesses, knowing full well that this only makes the light within brighter and allow for others to see and experience their own light. That’s the Pandemic Darna for me — she will tap and bring out the hero in all of us, despite the odds. Even without the ABS-CBN franchise!.”
Dyogi said he is grateful to Calzado for not leaving ABS-CBN despite the loss of its franchise.
The taping for the Darna series will begin in September this year. It will premiere in 2022.
