Reinvigorated ‘JaDine’ gears up for growth-evincing projects

James Reid (left) and Nadine Lustre in “Never Not Love You”

Is the world ready for a bolder and braver JaDine?

Since they earned encouraging reviews for their latest movie, Antoinette Jadaone’s “Never Not Love You,” real- and reel-life sweethearts James Reid and Nadine Lustre are being challenged by critics and fans alike to show more maturity, depth and range in their future outings.

“We’re very happy, of course,” Nadine said of the raves for the romantic flick. “We knew this was a special film, but we were also aware that it was a bit risky because it’s quite different from our previous films.”

James agreed: “We’re glad that people, and not just our fans, are embracing it as much as they do.”

The glowing notices have “inspired us to keep giving our best,” said Nadine.

“We couldn’t have done it without the guidance of our directors, so we thank them for that,” James explained.

They don’t “pressure” themselves to keep topping themselves with each new endeavor. “We just do our best with each role,” James noted.

So, what’s next for Viva’s hot-to-trot tandem?

They have no specific role in mind for their followup project, they told the In quirer. “But, we’re open to anything that will push us even more as actors,” Nadine remarked.

“We welcome any challenge, including more sensual stuff,” James quipped. “But it would really depend on the story and the script. The project has to be worth doing.”

JaDine in London

But, are they willing to play a married couple who must grapple with real-life problems, like raising children and paying the rent? Something like Ishmael Bernal’s “Relasyon” and “Broken Marriage” or the old Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion starrers, “Sa Hirap at Ginhawa” and “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin”?

“Married characters are also OK, but maybe not yet with kids,” they chimed in.

It seems they are ready to reinvent themselves, but not revolutionize their respective teen-friendly screen personas just yet.

If there’s one Hollywood flick they are raring to remake, though, it’s the action-packed Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie blockbuster, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

Yup, that’s the same 2005 movie that fired up the Brangelina scorcher while effectively extinguishing the Brannifer flame.

They have other projects lined up—individually and as a love team.

James is slated to do the Korean-inspired romantic comedy “Miss Granny” with Sarah Geronimo and the nth incarnation of the fantasy classic “Pedro Penduko” on the big screen.

Nadine, for her part, is slated to headline the rom-com “Ulan,” which will be directed by Irene Villamor, the same filmmaker behind “Camp Sawi” and “Meet Me in St. Gallen.”

They likewise have provincial shows set in Davao on April 28 and in Cebu on May 19. Also in the works is the US tour of the “JaDine Revolution” concert this summer.