Nora Aunor biopic currently in talks, Joel Lamangan says
LIVE UPDATES: Remembering Nora Aunor, Superstar and National Artist
Filipino actress Nora Aunor poses with her trophy after winning the Best Actress Award for her movie “Thy Womb” at the Asian Film Awards as part of the 37th Hong Kong International Film Festival in Hong Kong on Monday, March 18, 2013. Image: AP Photo/Kin Cheung
A biopic covering the life of the late Nora Aunor has been in “initial talks,” although it has been put on hold following her death, according to filmmaker Joel Lamangan.
The actor-director bared Aunor’s upcoming biopic during an ambush interview on Sunday, April 20, when asked about the topic.
On Friday, April 18, Lamangan said on Facebook that he and National Artist Ricky Lee have been discussing a possible “Nora Aunor Story” biopic, and that a producer has joined the helm.
“Meron kaming pinagusapan sanang importanteng pelikula na isusulat ng kaibigan naming si Ricky Lee — ang Nora Aunor Story. Nakausap namin ang prodyuser, naghihintay lamang ng tamang panahon. Sayang wala na si ate Guy pero itutuloy namin yon,” he said.
(We have been talking about an important film that our friend, Ricky Lee, will write — the Nora Aunor story. We have been in talks with a producer. We’re just waiting for the right time. Sadly, Ate Guy is no longer with us, but we’ll push through with it.)
Days later, the filmmaker told reporters that Aunor had already been included in the biopic’s first round of meetings before her death.
“Sa mga unang meeting kasama siya, eh nawala na siya. Ibang uri na pong pag-uusapan ang gagawin,” he said on the sidelines of the National Artist’s wake on Sunday, April 20. “Naka-hold, wala pang kongkretong plano. Meron namang initial na pag-uusap.”
(She was part of the first round of meetings. But she’s gone now. We’ll probably have a different round of discussions. It’s on hold, there are no concrete plans. There have been initial talks of it, nonetheless.)
WATCH: Filmmaker Joel Lamangan said there have been “initial talks” for a Nora Aunor biopic, which will possibly be divided into two phases of her life.
Lamangan also reiterated that an “audition” will take place on who will portray the late Aunor. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/2ZogJFrEr2
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 20, 2025
Lamangan also hinted that the biopic will cover “two phases” of Aunor’s life, and auditions will be held to determine who will portray the screen veteran.
Aunor died of acute respiratory failure on April 16 at 71. Her remains lie at Heritage Park in Taguig until Tuesday morning, April 22, with public viewing on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. Her wake attracted Noranians from different parts of the country, with some even traveling from Visayas and Mindanao just to get a glimpse of the late Superstar.
State necrological services will be held on Tuesday morning at the Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Arroceros, Manila, before her body will be brought to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig.
As national artist, she was accorded a state funeral arranged by the National Commission for Culture and Arts, with a state funeral, culminating in rites before her internment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani also on Tuesday.
