In the recently concluded ‘Battle of the Judges’ media conference last July 9 at GMA Network Studio 6, Alden Richards finally spoke up about the public’s speculations on his postponed film.
Netizens have been speculating that Julia Barretto will take over as his leading lady for the film ‘Special Memory’ after Bea Alonzo backed out of the project.
A tweet by @kapusoleague_ featuring Barretto’s role takeover for Alonzo trended last June 2.
TBC: Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards and VIVA Artist Julia Barretto are set to star in an upcoming movie #ASpecialMemory!
The said movie is an adaptation of Korean film 'A Moment to Remember'. It will be produced by GMA Pictures, VIVA Films and APT Entertainment! pic.twitter.com/ePmQ4HQgmw
— Kapuso League (@kapusoleague_) June 2, 2023
The rumors started after Alonzo made the sudden announcement to withdraw from the project due to schedule conflicts. She said that she did not want to keep the production team waiting while she was doing her other projects.
‘Special Memory’ was then postponed with no information on Alonzo’s role.
When asked about the issue, Richards said that there has been no detailed discussion with him regarding a final plan following Alonzo’s departure from the project.
“‘Yun po kase hindi pa rin po kase talaga siya nadidiscuss sa akin in detail, yung final po kung ano po ba talagang plano.
“Even si Bea, hindi rin po alam so when we talk parang wala po talaga kameng idea kung anong magiging progress.”
Richards reiterated that the movie project is still ‘shelved’ while there were no further details given. The actor is now focused on the projects in his fully booked schedule.
“For now, parang naka-shelf po muna siya based on my understanding kase hindi pa po talaga final kung anong plano kaya inaccomodate ko na po yung mga projects na’to at least para may magawa po ako.”
Richards also denied any confirmation of the role takeover by Barretto.
The actor was asked if he would be fine with Barretto as his leading lady should her part in the movie be confirmed.
“Wala naman po akong issue sa mga katrabaho kumbaga sa career naman po and sa showbiz naman po ako, it’s always about work and kung trabaho lang naman po, wala naman pong personalan.”
On continuing the movie despite the postponement, the actor answered that he would do it if it was meant for him.
“Kung para po sa’kin, kung talagang magagawa ko po s’ya, kung para sa’kin po, para sa’kin ‘yon.”
Richards said that the movie will most likely be for next year.
The actor’s schedule for the year is packed with projects including his hosting stint for ‘Battle of the Judges.’
‘Battle of the Judges’ is an upcoming Kapuso program that puts judges against one another to find the winner of the show. They face off in knock-out duels where only one is chosen as the winner.
Aside from Richards being the host of the show, Alonzo will also appear as one of its celebrity judges alongside Boy Abunda, Annette Gozon-Valdes, and Jose Manalo.
The show is set to debut on July 15.
