Can Pia, Nadine, Liza be Darna? Erik Matti weighs in

MANILA, Philippines — Who among the current female stars can play Darna?

Since Star Cinema released a teaser trailer for their upcoming Darna movie project last month, fans have been speculating who should replace Angel Locsin to portray the iconic Pinoy superhero on the big screen.

In a recent interview, Erik Matti, the director of the Darna movie, said: "Ang burden nitong Darna na latest is over the past five years, na-bombard na tayo ng Marvel. Mahirap siya execution-wise na kung paano lang din ‘yung dati."

Matti also weighed in on the fan favorites who emerged as possible replacements for Darna.

READ: Is she still playing Darna? Angel Locsin remains coy

Among them are Liza Soberano, Nadine Lustre and Jessy Mendiola.

“Si Liza, yes puwede. She has the strength physically, ‘yung hitsura at katawan. And then tama ‘yung edad and you can do a lot of things sa mukha niya. Pwede siya mag-iba-iba ng hitsura and she could still look really good. At the same time, Pinay siya na maganda, pang-Asian. Mahirap ‘yung mestizo eh,” he said of the "Forevermore" actress.

As for Jessy, Matti said: "Si Jessy has the built. Maputi lang siya masyado. Personal ko itong comment ha, hindi ito comment ng ABS-CBN. Maputi lang masyado si Jessy. Pinay dapat."

On Nadine, Matti said: "“Okay din naman si Nadine... Hindi ko pa nakikita kung gaano siya katangkad ngayon. Kasi I’ve done two commercials with her a year ago. Hindi ko lang alam kung ang height niya ay tama."

Can reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach play Darna?

“Si Pia, bagay na bagay si Pia pero in the history of Darna, hindi talaga umuubra ‘yung beauty queen. Kasi kailangan mo talaga ng regular Pinay woman. Ordinary lang na character. Hindi siya kailangan vavavoom, hindi kailangan na stunning," Matti said.

Nonetheless, Matti wants to hold auditions to determine who can rightfully play the iconic and physically demanding role.

“Gusto ko makita kung kakayanin ng artista. Kasi ang hirap na ngayon mag-double. Dati mga five years ago, pwede na mag-double sa eksena pero ngayon mahirap na with all the Hollywood films that come out where all the actors really prepare for the role,” he said.