Chito Roño and “Darna: The TV Series.” Image: Instagram/@chitorono, Facebook/JRB Creative Production
Chito Roño has been chosen to direct the highly anticipated “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series,” ABS-CBN’s TV adaptation of the beloved Filipino superhero from Ravelo’s comics masterpiece.
ABS-CBN announced that the renowned director will be leading the upcoming project through a release on its Instagram page today, Oct. 4.
“Highly-acclaimed box office director Chito S. Roño is officially taking [the] helm in the much-awaited television adaptation of the Philippines’ iconic superheroine in ‘Darna: The TV Series,'” it stated.
The upcoming superhero show marks Roño’s return to television after about seven years. The most recent TV show he directed was the romantic drama “Maria Mercedes,” which ran from October 2013 to January 2014.
“Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series” is set to begin taping in early November.
Production for the show has been delayed numerous times, even before the pandemic. Directors Erik Matti and Jerrold Tarog were originally attached to the project, which was initially planned to be a film. Matti left the “Darna” film due to “creative differences,” while Tarog backed out because of scheduling conflicts.
Actress Angel Locsin, who played the superhero on TV via GMA in 2005, was tapped to play Darna in a film in 2014, but she exited in 2015 due to health reasons and a back injury. She was replaced by Liza Soberano who eventually let go of the role after suffering a finger injury.
Jane de Leon then landed the lead role. She will be starring alongside Iza Calzado who will play the “first Darna,” the mother of de Leon’s character Narda.
Aside from directing TV shows, Roño is also known for directing acclaimed films such as “Dekada ‘70,” “Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?” and “Signal Rock,” among others. JB
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