Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos explained why Angel Locsin was dropped from portraying the role of Darna.
In her interview with ABS-CBN News reporter MJ Felipe on March 20, Santos said Angel’s back pain has recurred three weeks ago.
She recalled, “Nu’ng nalaman namin na mayroon siyang problema sa likod, sinabihan na namin siya na she cannot play Darna. But, because deep in our hearts na siya lang ang pwedeng maging Darna, we gave her the chance and she promised to do the therapy na magpapagaling siya para sa kanyang likod.”
Santos revealed that Angel’s recurring spine problem was the final verdict for Angel that she cannot play Darna.
“Pero unfortunately, three weeks ago, nakaramdam na naman siya ng pain sa likod. So ito na ang pinaka-final verdict na she cannot play Darna,” she said.
Santos then emphasized that Angel’s life is more important than “Darna”.
She stressed, “Kasi mas importante ang buhay niya kaysa sa pelikula na Darna. So ang iisipin ko na lang at least napatunayan niya ‘yung dedikasyon niya sa craft niya.”
Meanwhile, “Darna” director Erik Matti revealed that the project requires lot of physical activities which he believes can affect Angel’s body eventually.
“Okay naman si Angel ngayon. It’s just that ‘yung project kasi entails a lot of physical requirement from the actor. There’s going to be harness, a lot of flight. Medyo ayaw din naming mag-risk kasi kawawa siya,” he elaborated.
In October 2015, ABS-CBN announced that Angel would not be playing Darna due to her damaged spine after her extensive training to play the iconic Pinay superheroine.
For her part, Angel said she has already accepted the fact that she can no longer play Darna. She, however, asked for her fans support for the new Darna instead.
“Kailangan ko lang isipin ang buhay ko muna, kasi hindi po ako pinayagan ng doktor ko. Pero I tried, ABS-CBN tried, pero may mga bagay na kailangang i-let go para sa mas makakabuti. Ako tanggap ko na. Sana maintindihan din ng mga tao na hindi ko na magagawa ang ‘Darna’,” she said.
In the end, the 31-year-old actress hopes that her fans could understand the mutual decision between her and ABS-CBN.
”Sana maintinidhan niyo kami, hindi po madali. Alam kong nilaban niyo ito pero kailangan na siguro natin talaga na harapin ang katotohanan at mag-move on sa magandang mangyayari. So maraming, maraming salamat. ‘Di ko makakalimutan ang suportang ibinigay niyo sa akin at suporahan natin ang susunod na magiging Darna,” she said.
Angel has already played Darna on television in 2005. It was one of the most-watched fantasy-series to date.
