Although she would be unable to reprise one of her biggest acting roles, Angel Locsin reminisced the heyday of her career when she soared into the heavens as Darna back in 2005.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the actress paid tribute to the fictional heroine and how the tale installed female empowerment in the Philippines.
“Though it did not go as planned, it was still an amazing journey. Darna embodies the heart, resilience, and hope of a Filipina and it was a pleasure to have played her. I now entrust the reins to the next lucky lady who will have the time of her life portraying the role,” she wrote.
Despite fans’ hopes to see her swallow the stone once more, Locsin dropped out of the project due to back injuries.
READ: Angel Locsin withdraws from playing Darna
On social media, many fans pitched on possible Kapamilya names who could inherit the character including Liza Soberano, a breakout teen celebrity in the network.
Others mentioned actresses Nadine Lustre, Maja Salvador, Yassi Pressman and even Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
Pia Wurtzbach is the only Filipina who can replace Angel as Darna! JUST LET HER SAVE THE WORLD, THE UNIVERSE RATHER. <3
— Benedix Ramos (@EndiRamos) March 20, 2017
So they confirmed it! Angel Locsin will no longer play the Darna role! I waaaant to cry!!! :( Give it to Liza Soberano or Maja instead!!
— NM (@AttyEllanice) March 20, 2017
Or better yet, kung may ipapakilala man bagong Darna which could be by the likes of Liza Soberano, wait muna for few more years para dito.
— Bipolar Boy (@mrbipolarboy) March 20, 2017
If it's not Angel, then I'm happy to see Nadine in the iconic Darna costume.
— Godz Grafia™ (@godzgrafia) March 20, 2017
Nadine for Darna! She has the looks, the height and the body of a superhero! And she can wear that costume with no effort!!!!
— Claui ❤️ (@Ckforevah) March 20, 2017
Nadine Lustre & Pia Wurtzbach both embodies the new millennial Darna so much impact, powerful and all out yet still classy. #Darna2017
— Bb Gandanghari (@ImBbGandanghari) March 21, 2017
Meanwhile, other Twitter users fused powers to trend the hashtag #NoToDarnaMovie, reiterating that Locsin would always be the perfect actress to wear the red-and-yellow ensemble.
can give justice to this role. It appears like the interview was staged and scripted. Something is really fishy about #NoToDARNAmovie
— PHILLIP (@CyberPhillip) March 21, 2017
If not angel locsin, wag na lang muna! Let the people heal! #NoToDarnaMovie
— ScorpiusPotter (@rcdpotter) March 21, 2017
Last year, Wurtzbach expressed her interest in playing the role of Darna. “I would love to play the Filipina version of Superwoman! Darna!” she tweeted via the Miss Universe Organization.
@MaxValdezMax YES! I would love to play the Filipina version of Superwoman! DARNA! :-) -Pia
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 28, 2016
Locsin, 31, still has a lineup of projects ahead of her, including an appearance in the upcoming fantasy TV series “La Luna Sangre” and a film with Coco Martin.
A film for “Darna” was first planned in 2015, and would be directed by Erik Matti based on the comic books written by Mars Ravelo and illustrated by Nestor Redondo. Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra