By Mheryll L. Alforte
Young television star Jane De Leon is finally taping for “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series” this September, which explains why is wrapping up her remaining scenes in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” where she plays Capt. Lia Mante.
The modern television adaptation of the Mars Ravelo comics will begin its lock-in taping following its indefinite postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Initially planned as a big screen project as announced in 2015, the movie had Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano cast for the iconic role. Angel was set to reprise her role but she had to withdraw from the project due to a serious back injury in 2017. Liza, on the other hand, had to back out after sustaining a fracture on her finger while taping for “Bagani” in 2019. Her operation prevented her from doing the physical stunts required for the role.
Then, after facing a few stumbling blocks, ABS-SBN had the project shelved and turned into a TV series instead with Jane still playing the lead.
Prior to the lockdown, Jane was able to shoot at least 16 sequences for the movie project which was helmed by Jerrold Tarog.
Meanwhile, before Tarog, Erik Matti was supposed to helm the film but Star Cinema and Matti had mutually decided to part ways in 2018 citing creative differences as their reason.
ABS-CBN has yet to announce the director for the television adaptation of “Darna.”