Kapamilya actress Jane de Leon was announced to still be the one starring in ABS-CBN’s upcoming Darna project. The Mars Ravelo creation will be adapted into a series after its movie production was canceled due to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made on Friday, December 4, during the media conference of ABS-CBN’s talent management arm Star Magic where Jane signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN along with other Kapamilya artists.
Cory Vidanes, who is the Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast of ABS-CBN Corporation, mentioned that the Darna project will be pushing through.
“Masaya po kaming ibalita sa inyong lahat. Tuloy na tuloy na po ang paglipad ni Darna,” Vidanes said.
She added saying that “Ang gaganap bilang Darna ay walang iba kung ‘di si Ms. Jane de Leon, na patuloy na nagpapakita ng sipag at determinasyon sa paghahanda sa muling paglipad ni Darna.”
After being indefinitely postponed several times, the project will finally be pushing through as Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series and said to be aired in 2021.
Jane explained that the confirmation of the series took her back to the happiness that she felt back when she was first given the role.
“‘Yung pakiramdam ko po ngayon, nag-flashback ‘yung time na in-announce po sa akin ‘yung Darna,” she said.
“Hindi ko po talaga in-expect,” she added.
The 22-year-old actress also said that she had a mix of emotions for the upcoming series but noted that she is grateful to be a Kapamilya.
“I’m so overwhelmed. Sobrang mixed emotions — siyempre, kinakabahan po ako, and I’m really, really happy na makita po kayong lahat. I’m really happy to be here, and I feel so blessed to be a Kapamilya,” Jane said.
Jane was given the Darna role in 2019 after both Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano withdrew from the role due to medical reasons. She managed to land the role after an open audition was held with around 300 aspirants.
The Darna project was supposed to be directed by Erik Matti but the director left due to “creative differences” with ABS-CBN Films. Director Jerrold Tarog was then appointed for the project.
Previously, Jane received backlash from netizens who were not happy that the actress had her own moment in the ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID 2020. Artists who have solo moments in the network’s CSID means that he/she is one of the big stars.
ABS-CBN seemed to consider Jane as a big star as she is still set to start the production of the remake of the TV series, Darna. However, many fans were not happy that Jane is being considered as a “big star” by the Kapamilya network and said that she didn’t deserve the attention.
