The much-anticipated collaboration between Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos and this generation’s superstar Judy Ann Santos has been called off.
Vilma recently revealed the reasons behind the decision, citing creative and logistical challenges as factors.
Initially, the two were slated to star in the movie ‘Espantaho,’ which was intended to be an entry in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). However, the project encountered roadblocks that prevented it from moving forward.
In an interview, Vilma shared that while she was excited about working with Judy Ann, issues surrounding her character caused delays.
“Nag-meeting na kami noon. Ang nangyari lang kasi, parang nagkaroon ng problema sa character na gagampanan ko. ‘Yun lang yon, pero inayos naman. But I will be honest, while meeting with the movie, okey I’ll say it, which is ‘Espantaho’, I was meeting also with Direk Dan (Villegas), ito ngang ‘Uninvited’,” Vilma said.
“It’s just that, habang inaayos yon, and I will be honest, nalaman ko na lang po, na sinubmit yung script sa first 5 para sa MMFF, but unfortunately parang hindi napasok sa first 5.”
The situation took a turn when ‘Espantaho’ failed to secure a spot in the MMFF’s initial lineup. Producer Atty. Joji Alonso, who was also involved in ‘Espantaho,’ encouraged Vilma to pursue Uninvited.
“It was Atty. Joji Alonso, who told me, na go ahead, na gawin ang movie naman with Direk Dan, ‘because he is also my son’, sabi ni Atty. Joji. Sabi pa ni Atty Joji, ‘do it, and I will promise you, I will watch that’,” Vilma added.
Vilma described ‘Uninvited’ as a project she had been dreaming of for years. The story, which unfolds within a 24-hour period in a single location, aligns with a concept she had always wanted to explore.
“Na mag-uumpisa siyang maganda, na matatapos siyang mukhang dilapidated na siya. ‘Yun talaga ang gusto ko kahit noon pa. Hindi ko alam ang gitna, kung paano mangyayari ‘yon. Sina Direk Dan ang naglagay ng istorya sa gitna, hanggang sa nabuo na ang movie. ‘Yun lang!,” Vilma shared.
The role, which marks her return to portraying a “dark character” since ‘Tagos ng Dugo’, posed a creative challenge that reinvigorated her passion for acting.
“Kasi at this point in time of my career, ang hirap na akong humanap ng isang role na babagay sa edad ko, and role that will challenge mo. Kasi sa more than 62 years in the industry, parang pakiramdam ko ang dami-rami ko na ring nagawang iba’t ibang karakter, at yung iba, paulit-ulit na. So itong status ko ngayon, parang sabi ko na lang, ayokong gumawa ng movie na para lang sabihin nila na meron akong nagawang pelikula. Ako kasi, kung may gagawin man akong movie, I will make sure na, na gagawa lang ako ng movie that can still challenge me. Ito ngang ‘Uninvited’ at ang role ko, na-challenge ako, kahit paano,” she said.
‘Uninvited,’ directed by Dan Villegas, is an official entry to the 2024 MMFF. The film explores family secrets and horror during a 24-hour party and boasts a stellar cast that includes Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot de Leon, Elijah Canlas, and Gabby Padilla.
The film is produced by Mentorque Productions, known for the 2023 MMFF hit ‘Mallari,’ and Project 8 Projects, the team behind the TIFF 2024 entry ‘Sunshine.’
Despite the setback, Vilma remains optimistic about the possibility of working with Judy Ann in the future.
“But you know, the last thing kasi that I heard, while preparing for the movie, of course excited din ako to be with Judy Ann. I love Judy Ann,” she said.
