For more than 10 years now, local action movies have generally been absent from the big screen, unlike past decades when they used to lord it over the cinematic competition.
In the good, old days, action stars made the most money and were so popular that some of them became national leaders, as well, like Joseph Estrada.
But, when the action superstars aged, their filmic exploits became predictable, and viewers chose to patronize other film types.
The unexpected demise of local action flicks was a shocking development that the industry has vainly tried to arrest and redeem for many years
—and the good news is that it has finally succeeded this season—on television.
The top ratings currently being enjoyed by “Ang Probinsyano,” “Encantadia” and other action-drama or action-fantasy series augur well for the renewed popularity of the program type.
The big challenge now is how to intensify the comeback to include the return of action movies, as well. Taking their cue from successful initiatives on TV, producers of new action films should build up young action stars to replace the big-screen heroes of old.
TV action stars like Coco Martin and Dingdong Dantes could make the transition to the big screen, but even younger faves could turn out to be even more successful.
This new generation of action-drama headliners could be paced by Daniel Padilla, who’s made it big as a rom-com star, but has the action “pedigree” to also click with action fans.
After all, he’s the nephew of Robin Padilla. In his teens, Daniel effectively channeled his uncle’s “Bad Boy” image, so he could easily “reimbibe” that two-fisted persona to make his first big-screen actioner a smashing success.
Other emerging young action comers include Derrick Monasterio, whose “Tsuperhero” TV series is currently being telecast on GMA 7.
Derrick Monasterio
In addition, buff and agile stars and starlets could be “reintroduced” as action stars for the big screen—like Jason Abalos, Gerald Anderson, Joem Bascon, Zeus Collins, JC de Vera, Ejay Falcon, Renz Fernandez, Xian Lim, Diego Loyzaga, Joseph Marco, Zanjoe Marudo and Daniel Matsunaga.
Why so many likely prospects? Because, if new action-drama movies are well-conceptualized, the return to popularity of the action film format, after more than a decade of virtually moribund nonexistence, could be a very big deal.
After all, action blockbusters once ruled the local film scene, so their comeback should be huge.
And, while we’re still at it, we shouldn’t forget the distaff side of the equation and line up the female stars who could be repackaged into action heroines for the big screen.
The latest “Darna” could be the first, big vehicle in this regard.
Even if the long-postponed project doesn’t end up starring Angel Locsin, it could be a hit showcase for the likely likes of Gretchen Ho, Liza Soberano, Jessy Mendiola, Maja Salvador, Sam Pinto, Dawn Chang, Arci Muñoz, Jane Oineza, Julia Barretto, Coleen Garcia—or Pia Wurtzbach?