New ‘Panday’ set for Feb. 29 start on TV5

GUTIERREZ. Big shoes to fill.

FERNANDO POE JR.’S “Panday” was a top-grosser in the 1980 Metro Manila Film Festival. In the ’90s, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada starred in their own versions, followed by the TV remake that had Jericho Rosales playing the Pinoy superhero, Flavio, on ABS-CBN.

Viva-TV5 is now passing the hero’s iconic sword on to Richard Gutierrez in the modernized version of the popular komiks character. It’s a TV series comeback for Gutierrez after the birth of his son, Zion, two years ago.

Physically fit

Before accepting the project, the actor made sure he was physically fit for the part. “Panday” traces the character’s tale from birth to his adventures as a blacksmith who goes up against arch nemesis, Lizardo, and his evil cohorts with the use of his iconic sword.

Another startling revelation is that Flavio is a foundling who has a brother raised by a “bad element.” In contrast, Flavio was found inside a church, and a priest took care of him.

Christopher de Leon has taken over the role of Lizardo, once portrayed by Phillip Salvador, and Regine Tolentino is the evil Morgana.

The action-drama-fantasy series, which begins airing on Feb. 29, also features Alonzo Muhlach, Sam Pinto, Bangs Garcia and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.