From more daring roles to braver themes and a KathNiel reunion, here’s what to look forward to in the big screen comeback of Kathryn Bernardo.
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Almost four years after her last movie Hello, Love, Goodbye, which still currently holds the record for the highest grossing Filipino movie, Kathryn Bernardo is now more than ready to make her big screen comeback. In time for Star Cinema’s 30th Anniversary, which is also taking a new direction, the Asia’s Superstar finally unveils her next cinematic endeavors in ABS-CBN Films’ New Movie Alert event last March 27, 2023. And yes, Kathryn Bernardo is about to get bolder and braver in her roles this time.
KATHRYN BERNARDO X DOLLY DE LEON
As shared by ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Garmen, Star Cinema is set to explore new themes and genres, and break boundaries as they mark their third decade. It’s a fitting vision for the Kapamilya star and box office queen Kathryn Bernardo who, as per Garmen, has expressed her interest in collaborating with the film studio to explore the uncharted waters: characters and feelings that she has yet to experience.
And talking about taking a new direction, both Star Cinema and Kathryn Bernardo are taking on a fresh and unique undertaking with A Very Good Girl, the first in Kathryn’s slate of upcoming projects. Written by Marionne Dominique Mancol (James & Pat & Dave and He’s Into Her), A Very Good Girl features an “eat-the-rich” concept from the youth’s perspective. Made to match Kathryn’s caliber, Mancol describes the film’s theme of going against the system as “very new and very brave,” and something “so relevant” today.
Petersen Vargas, who previously helmed another Star Cinema offering, An Inconvenient Love, was personally handpicked by Kathryn Bernardo to helm Good Girl. “It’s going to be a dark comedy, but with a lot of sass and class,” says Vargas, who is going to work with Kathryn for the first time. “We want to serve this fantasy of representing this frustrated and powerless generation through Kathryn’s character. So, madaming aabangan.”
A Very Good Girl (2023)#NMAKathryn #NewMovieAlertKathryn#AVeryGoodGirl pic.twitter.com/aNuyiYEZnB
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) March 27, 2023
Another major thing to get hyped up about Good Girl is the fact that Dolly de Leon will be Kathryn Bernardo’s co-star. Creative manager Carmi Raymundo reveals that the BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee is excited to be with Kathryn again after a very long time and has been very collaborative with the team. “What an honor,” Kathryn enthuses. “For sure marami akong matututunan sa kaniya and I can’t wait to meet her again.”
According to Kathryn, A Very Good Girl will start production “very, very soon” and is slated for a release this year. “Expect the unexpected,” creative supervisor Daniel Saniana tells the public. The hype is on!
HISTORY, ACTION, AND DRAMA
Another special project to usher in Kathryn Bernardo’s comeback era is Elena, 1944, a historical offering that follows the story of a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation. This film finds her working with ABS-CBN Film’s subsidiary, Black Sheep, for the first time and reunited with Inang Olivia M. Lamasan seven years after the KathNiel starrer, Barcelona: A Love Untold.
“When we did Barcelona the challenge there was to transition Kathryn from a young teenage roles to more young adult roles,” Lamasan talks about Kathryn’s exciting career shift. “Then seven years later, eto na naman tayo not to really transition you, but to really push you, push your limit as an actress to doing more edgy, more mature and more daring [roles].”
Elena 1944 (2024)#NMAKathryn #NewMovieAlertKathryn#Elena1944 pic.twitter.com/GheIIqqNWs
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) March 27, 2023
This also marks Lamasan’s return to the director’s chair after her years-long stint as ABS-CBN Films’ head. Described as a fusion of historical drama and action, genres that are new for Kathryn, Elena, 1944 is based on a Palanca Award-winning screenplay by Patrick Valencia (Labyu With An Accent) and is co-written by Enrico Santos (An Inconvenient Love). Vanessa Valdez, writer of KathNiel’s first-ever major movie Must Be…Love, is its creative manager.
“It’s something na nirerepresent ang pagkababae ko and I love to do a project like that, representing women empowerment,” declares Kathryn. Elena, 1944 is currently in development and is targeting a 2024 release date.
KATHNIEL COMEBACK
A new scoop into KathNiel’s comeback project was revealed during the NMA event. As explained by Kathryn Bernardo herself, while both she and Daniel Padilla will be pursuing individual projects in the future, they’ll also be reunited in a project soon. She says that while the announcement for the Cathy Garcia-Molina-helmed film will have its separate launch, it’s confirmed that their reunion movie will come out after A Very Good Girl.
There will be a separate announcement for the #KathNiel comeback movie.
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) March 27, 2023
In total, ABS-CBN Films will have 3 movies with our Queen Kathryn! Stay tuned for updates soon! #NewMovieAlertKathryn #NMAKathryn
In an earlier press interview, Garcia-Molina first revealed that the upcoming KathNiel movie is unlike their past movies and will not be of the rom-com genre. “The KathNiel movie is very different,” the She’s Dating The Gangster and The Hows of Us director says. “It’s something new and we’re all very excited for KathNiel. Basta, kakaiba!” The veteran director adds that it will be a “more mature” project for the premier love team.
Meanwhile, Kathryn Bernardo has also expressed her gratitude to all the KathNiel supporters who remained loyal and believed in them even when they’re making fresh career pursuits. “Natutuwa at napa-proud ako sa fans namin na KathNiel, because they allow us to grow,” the actress says. “KathNiel will always be there. Ang importante kami ni DJ nagsusuportahan sa isa’t isa. Approved ‘to naming dalawa. Mutual decision ‘to and excited din ako what’s in store for DJ.”
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