It has been known: actress Liza Soberano on Thursday officially withdrew from the millennial reboot of Darna, citing medical reasons, particularly a finger injury that would hinder her from doing certain stunts required of the action-packed movie.
Thousands of netizens have since reacted to the news, including award-winning filmmaker and assigned director of the movie, Jerrold Tarrog, who took to Twitter shortly to reveal that he is “saddened” by Liza’s unfortunate exit.
“They informed me about Liza’s decision weeks ago. I was quite sad about it, but her health is more important,” he said in a reply to a tweet from a fan who joked that Jerrold would soon follow suit, adding that the film will still push through despite its drawbacks. “Abangan niyo na lang kung sino ang bagong Darna.”
Hindi naman. Busy pa din kami. They informed me about Liza's decision weeks ago. I was quite sad about it, but her health is more important. Abangan niyo na lang kung sino ang bagong #Darna https://t.co/IPAkLMqMRL
— Jerrold Tarog (@JerroldTarog) April 4, 2019
Prior to Liza, Angel Locsin, who was initially to portray Darna, and the film’s original director Erik Matti have also backed out of the project – the former due to a back injury, while the latter having cited “creative differences” with its producer Star Cinema.
Nevertheless, with Liza’s exit, the search for the next Darna continues, according to a joint statement from ABS-CBN and Star Cinema.
READ: Official statement of ABS-CBN and Star Cinema on Liza Soberano's personal decision to withdraw from the Darna Project. | via @mjfelipe pic.twitter.com/GyALbf5K3i
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 4, 2019