From Bea Alonzo, Inigo Pascual, Liza Soberano, and more, these Pinoy stars are proving that Filipino talent is worthy of Hollywood as they are set to appear in upcoming productions.
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Even if you are just a casual fan of the local entertainment industry, you would know that there are quite a lot of actors, musicians, directors, and others in the field whose talents are worthy of the global stage. In fact, the simple truth is, the Filipinos are raring and ready to take on the world. Just this year alone, Filipino films have been making noise in numerous international film festivals. John Arcilla made history by being the first Filipino and first Asian actor to win the Volpi cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, not to mention the fact that On The Job: Missing 8 got a standing ovation at its screening.
And the hits keep on coming as there are a handful of Filipinos currently slated to appear in Hollywood productions. Here are the Filipino actors and personalities who are making their mark in Hollywood. Honorable mention first goes to stars like Liza Soberano and Jericho Rosales who have expressed and put in the work to start a career in Hollywood. But as long as they don’t have a confirmed Hollywood project, they shall be off the list for now.
ALEX DIAZ
Alex Diaz is an actor, musician, and social media personality. You may have seen him in projects like Just the Way You Are, She’s Dating the Gangster, and Oh, Mando! Alex also is set to make his biggest career move yet as he is set to appear in his first-ever international movie, Glitter And Doom. As of this writing, the young actor is currently filming the project in Mexico. Follow his journey on Instagram where he details his preparations, which includes a lot of juggling.
BEA ALONZO
Bea Alonzo is one of the country’s biggest stars and has consistently dominated both at the box office and our TV screens. After conquering the local entertainment industry, Bea sets her sights on Hollywood as she stars in her very first Hollywood movie. The movie is called Angel Warrior and will be a Filipino-Hollywood co-production. Bea Alonzo is playing Tala, a Filipina living during the pre-WW2 era whose near-death experience pushes her to become an underground fighter. She then joins Filipino and American guerillas on the island of Panay as they fight against the Japanese. The film, which is based on true events, will start shooting in mid-2022 and aims for a release in late-2022.
That’s not all though for Bea as she’s also set to star in co-Hollywood production 1521 a movie about Magellan’s jounrey to the Philippines. Bea will play Diwata, a Mactan princess who falls in love with Magellan’s translator, Hector. Also starring in the production is fellow GMA star Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, who plays Diwata’s sister Ahmani, Michael Copon, who plays Lapu-Lapu, and Danny Trejo who will play Magellan. Yup, you read that right. The film is set for a relaese date of June 12, 2023, in time for the country’s 125th anniversary.
CHAI FONACIER
Chai Fonacier may not be a household name compared to her peers, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on this talented actor and singer. Chai has been in critically acclaimed films like Patay na si Hesus and Respeto. And given her latest project, a lot more people will soon be talking about her. Chai will star in the horror/thriller Nocebo, which she filmed in Ireland earlier this year.
The plot of the film follows a fashion designer who suffers from a mysterious illness. Desperate for answers, she turns to a Filipino carer, Diana (Fonacier), who uses traditional folk medicine to heal her. But in doing so, she reveals a horrifying truth. If the plot won’t get you, then know that she is starring alongside Eva Green and Mark Strong. And the movie is directed by Lorcan Finnegan, who directed the trippy Vivarium. From what we know so far, Nocebo is shaping up to be an exciting movie.
HEART EVANGELISTA
It’s safe to say that Heart Evangelista is a global style star. She has been featured and photographed in some of the most prestigious designers and magazines in the world. And now, Heart is finally set to make her Hollywood acting debut. Recently, the veteran actress revealed in a press-con that she did film a project with Netflix. She remained tight-lipped though on what it was or when it would come out. She sadly wasn’t in Bling Empire season two despite what some rumors suggested. So, we’ll just have to wait and see what’s up her sleeve.
INIGO PASCUAL
Inigo Pascual’s charm and undeniable talent have helped him take the OPM sound to the global stage through international promotion, performances, and collaborations. But the young star is set to make his biggest impact on the global stage yet as he is set to make his Hollywood debut. It was recently revealed that Inigo is set to appear in Monarch, a musical multi-generational drama from Fox. The series will revolve around a fictional first family of country music, The Romans. Led by their matriarch, Dottie Cantrell (Susan Sarandon), the story will follow the family’s legacy and the nitty-gritty of their lives.
In Monarch, Inigo Pascual will play Ace Grayson, the “talented and sensitive 18-year-old who was adopted from an orphanage” and taken in by the Romans. “He’s a phenomenal singer with real swagger on stage and dreams of being a country star. But in spite of being part of a golden family, his path to success has some challenges,” is how the character is described according to Deadline. Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins, and Beth Ditto are also set to appear in the series. The show is set to premier later this September 11.
LEA SALONGA
Lea Salonga is no stranger to Hollywood. After all, she was the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan. The award-winning Disney legend has also had a few live-action roles as well like playing Aunt Myrna in an episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Gail in Yellow Rose. And now, she is set to take part in another Hollywood project.
It was just recently announced that she was joining the cast of HBO Max’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, a reboot of the original hit teen show. Lea Salonga will be playing Elodie Laya, the mom of Minnie (Malia Pyles). According to Deadline, Lea’s character is described as follows “A bit overbearing, Elodie works overtime to keep her daughter safe following a trauma that occurred when Minnie was just a little girl.” Lea Salonga won’t be the only Filipina in the cast though as Sharon Leal, who is most famous for being in Dream Girls, is appearing as well.
LIZA SOBERANO
Liza Soberano only made her dreams of having a career in Hollywood known just recently. But manifestation is a powerful force as the young actress has already booked her first Hollywood movie. Liza is set to star in Zelda Williams’ feature film directorial debut, Lisa Frankenstein. She is set to play the role of Taffy with her co-stars including Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton and the script being written by Oscar winner Diablo Cody, the same woman who wrote Juno and Jennifer’s Body. This rom-come zombie horror flick from Focus Features is arguably one of the coolest projects Liza has ever done. The film is currently filming with a release date of sometime in 2023.
LOVI POE
2021 has been a busy year for Lovi Poe, having recently joined ABS-CBN as one of their newest talents. It was also announced that she was going to star alongside Piolo Pascual in the Filipino remake of the Korean drama Flower of Evil. And to top it all off, Lovi Poe is set to star in her very first Hollywood movie.
The actress is slated to appear in The Chelsea Cowboy, the Idris Elba-produced biopic about the life of real-life actor and alleged gangster, John Bindon. The movie will chart his rise in Hollywood and his connections to the criminal world. The cast also includes Alex Pettyfer, who is playing Bindon, and Poppy Delevingne, who you may know as Clara from Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Lovi will play English singer and actress Dana Gillespie. She hires Bindon as a security aide and introduces him to the lavish life of Old Hollywood. Shooting is set to begin in October. Expect more projects from this stunning beauty as she also recently launched her very own production company, C’est Lovi Productions, and already has international movies in the works.
MARICEL SORIANO
Diamond Star Maricel Soriano is no stranger to the local entertainment scene. But the living legend is set to share her talents on a global stage as she was recently cast in the Hollywood rom-com Re-Live: A Tale of an American Island Cheerleader. The story follows a trans girl named Rowena. One day, she returns to her hometown in Guam for her high school reunion’s do-over week. But when her mom gets cancer, she then soon realizes the value of her family and what she left behind. Maricel Soriano will play Thelma, Rowena’s mom. The project is set to begin shooting this November 2022.
PRINCESS PUNZALAN
Princess Punzalan resume includes dozens of appearances in roles in major local TV shows and series. But her acting also extends in America. She already had a memorable role in the immigration drama Yellow Rose. But she is set to have her biggest Hollywood role yet with an upcoming appearance in season 2 of The Cleaning Lady. The FOX drama, where one of its episodes was directed by fellow Filipino Marie Jamora, will have Princess play Lola, a major character for the show’s second season.
SHARON CUNETA
Sharon Cuneta is another veteran actress and icon who is set to make a splash in the Hollywood movie scene. Recently, the mega star revealed that she starring and executive producing the film adaptation of The Mango Bride, the Palanca winning novel by Marivi Soliven. Martin Edralin is set to direct the project. The novel follows the story of two Filipinas, Amparo and Beverly, who come from different backgrounds but whose lives intertwine in Oakland California. Filming is set to begin later this year.
TONY LABRUSCA AND KC CONCEPTION
Tony Labrusca made a name for himself as a finalist on BoyBand PH before moving into a career that has expanded into acting, singing, and modeling. KC Conception is, among other things, a veteran actress and part of showbiz royalty. The two are also taking their talents to the international stage. The two are set to appear in the cast of the all-Asian film, Asian Persuasion. In fact, KC is the lead actress while Tony is set to play Allen, the chef of the Noodlelove restaurant. The movie is set to follow a couple who recently divorced and the husband devising an outlandish plan to avoid his alimony obligations. The comedy is going to be directed by Jhett Tolentino, a TONY and GRAMMY-award-winning producer.
MARIE JAMORA
The presence of Filipinos in Hollywood isn’t just limited to actors and actresses. There are also a few Pinoy filmmakers making their mark as well, and one of those filmmakers is Marie Jamora. Marie got her start in the industry by directing music videos for bands like Sandwich, Bamboo, Sponge Cola, The Itchyworms, and Eraserheads. In 2012, she made a splash in the feature filmmaking scene with her film Ang Nawawala, which took home two awards at Cinemalaya 2012.
But Marie is also making a name for herself internationally as she directed a few episodes of US TV shows. Her most prominent work so far is Queen Sugar, a series created by Ava DuVernay that follows three siblings who move to Louisianan to claim their inheritance from their recently departed father. Marie directed the third episode of season 6 called, You Would Come Back Different, which aired just this September 21, 2021. Her other works include directing an episode of the upcoming FOX drama The Cleaning Lady and being the executive producer and director of Family Style, a documentary series.
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