(From left) Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes. Image: Instagram/@marianrivera
Kapuso stars Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, known as DongYan, are teaming up anew for the upcoming film “Rewind,” which is a collaboration among ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, and Agosto Dos Media.
The celebrity couple, who are homegrown artists of GMA Network, confirmed their new project at a media launch on Wednesday, June 21, as it’s set to premiere sometime “this year.”
A visibly excited Rivera said she has always wanted to work with the ABS-CBN film, adding that her husband always shared his experiences about working with Star Cinema.
“Sobrang excited akong [maka-work] ang Star Cinema. Si Dong, ang daming kwento about Star Cinema. As in, lahat ng ginagawa niyang pelikula, sinasabi niya lahat sa’kin kung anong experience niya,” she said, referring to her husband using his nickname. “Sabi ko, ‘Wow, sana balang araw maramdaman ko rin yung pakiramdam na kinukwento mo sa’kin.’ And then, finally mararamdaman ko [na siya].”
(I’m so excited to work with Star Cinema. Dong always told me a lot of stories about Star Cinema. As in, all of the films he does, he would tell his experiences to me. I said, “Wow, I hope I will feel the excitement that he feels.” And then, finally, it happened.)
Meanwhile, Dantes admitted that one of the reasons why he chose to accept the project, was that he wanted to make his children Zia and Sixto proud.
“Bukod sa makakasama ko [si Marian] at makaka-collaborate ko ang mga napakahusay na creators, gusto rin namin is bawat project na pinipili namin, maging proud ‘yung mga anak namin. Ito yung klaseng pelikula at kwento [na] ‘yung gusto naming ibahagi sa mga manonood,” he said.
(Aside from working with Marian and collaborating with good creators, we want to take on projects that would make our children proud. This is the type of film and story that we want to share with the viewers.)
The actor then described “Rewind” as a family movie with a “touch of magic realism,” as he praised its script.
“Very, very true to form dahil it’s a family movie. It has a very big heart and may touch of magic realism. So many elements na magsasabing talagang pam-pamilya,” he said. “Kahit na pangatlong beses mong basahin [‘yung script], ganun pa rin ang feeling. Noong huling beses ko siyang nabasa was four days ago, ganun pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. Parang fresh parati.”
(It’s very, very true to form because it’s a family movie. It has a very big heart, with a touch of magic realism. So, there are elements that really suit the family. Even if I’ve read the script three times, I still feel good inside. The last time I read it was about four days ago, the feeling is still the same. It still feels fresh.)
During the launch, APT Entertainment Inc. president and CEO Mike Tuviera said the project took years in the making since it was first pitched to the couple around “late 2019.”
“It was late 2019 when it was first pitched [kina Dingdong at Marian]. Parang around 10 pitches were presented to them. Tapos kinausap ko sina Dong and Yan nang solo, tapos iba talaga. When this was presented, immediately alam ko wala nang competition. Pumili na sila right then and there,” he said, saying the couple wanted to work together for the project.
(It was late 2019 when it was first pitched to Dingdong and Marian. Around 10 pitches were presented to them, then I talked to them individually. Then, the feeling was really different. When this was presented to them, I immediately knew there was no more competition. They chose the project right then and there.)
The upcoming film is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, while Enrico Santos brought the screenplay to life. Details about the couple’s castmates and premiere date are yet to be disclosed.
‘Beyond blessed’
Rivera expressed her excitement about working with her husband in the film on Instagram, saying it arrived in “God’s perfect time.”
“I am beyond blessed to be able to share the screen with my loving husband in God’s perfect time. We can’t wait to bring this project to life and make unforgettable memories together!” she said in the caption.
Meanwhile, Dantes said it’s a “pleasure” to share the spotlight with his wife again, as he described the film as a “masterpiece.”
“An exciting project is in the making, and this time, I have the pleasure of working alongside my amazing wife! After more than a decade, the wait is finally over as we announce our upcoming film ‘REWIND,’ directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar,” he wrote.
“This masterpiece, created by Enrico Santos and Joel Mercado, holds a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you. Thanks to the incredible partners from @starcinema and @aptentertainment.ph, this long-awaited collaboration is becoming a reality! Stay tuned for an unforgettable cinematic experience coming soon to theaters,” he continued.
“Rewind” is the couple’s first project together after 11 years. They previously worked together in GMA-helmed productions “Marimar,” “Dyesebel,” “Endless Love,” and “You To Me Are Everything,” among many others.
While the movie marks Rivera’s first project with Star Cinema, this would be Dantes’ fifth time working with the ABS-CBN film unit. EDV