Jake Cuenca shared his excitement about returning to action after doing a streak of heavy dramas.
Jake Cuenca feels ecstatic to be able to return to doing an action-centered show, after a series of drama projects, including the series, Viral Scandal, and the film, My Father, Myself. The Iron Heart notably marks not just his reunion with Click co-star Richard Gutierrez, but also his return to the action genre, which he is very much identified with.
Among the action projects, he did with ABS-CBN, included the primetime series, Palos (2008), the films El Brujo (2014), and Ang Panday (2017).
Speaking to us during our set visit in Cebu, where the show has been taping scenes in various locations since last year, Cuenca expressed how proud he is for doing The Iron Heart, noting its sophisticated quality, especially in terms of action. Asked about whether the series intentionally leveled up its stunt and fight scenes, he confirmed that that was the intention right from the start.
“That was the goal from the very beginning when we all agreed to do it,” he said, adding, Siyempre, in terms of like, for me, I knew that they were gonna give an international-type standard, di ba, as you can see parang cinematic.”
To be able to match the show’s top-notch caliber, Cuenca said that he deliberately leveled up his acting, as well. “So, that was the promise din, na may standards in acting, I’ll try to make it international as I can,”.
The ultra-talented actor shared that he took inspiration from some popular characters both in books and film, but he underscored that his portrayal in The Iron Heart got largely inspired by the former.
“Scarface, obviously is a big inspiration, and Castor Troy in the film, Face/Off. But more than anything, I took inspiration from a lot of books ‘eh. For this role, I read more books than I watched films. Unlike Cattleya, just all films.”
Recent events in the series suggested that his character, Eros, is now an ally to the main character, Apollo, which is played by Gutierrez. However, he teased that the character may not be what it seems.
“Yun ‘yung exciting sa role eh…you don’t know if he’s good, you don’t know if he’s bad. He’s three-dimensional. But if you would want me to classify him into something, I would say na he’s an anti-hero,” he said.
Known for being committed to every project he does, Cuenca shared that he’s all for every fight scene that his character will demand him to.
“I’m willing and able to do anything for the show. Sinabi ko kay Miss Dess, sa mga staff, directors, na whatever stunt that is, if I can do it, I’ll do it. I want to be as involved as I can be in the show.”
The Iron Heart airs from Monday to Friday on A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Channel, and Jeepney TV. It also streams online via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook, and iWantTFC.