From playing a deadly role to a mind-bending story, here’s the scoop about Daniel Padilla’s movie comeback, plus an update on the new KathNiel film!
Well, it seems like ABS-CBN Films’ New Move Alert event is becoming the new hotspot for fresh and exciting entertainment news straight from our favorite local stars. And if you’re a KathNiel fan, you’re surely in for a treat! Just a month after the highly-anticipated Kathryn Bernardo movie comeback announcement, the media giant has dropped another exciting news: Daniel Padilla is making his grand return to the big screen.
It’s been a while since we last saw the Supreme Idol in action, but he’s coming back in full force. Having just celebrated his birthday recently, Daniel has hand-picked interesting stories and a creative team of talented storytellers to chart a new chapter in his already stellar film career. And from what we hear, he’s ready to tackle some darker and more unconventional roles. Intrigued yet? Here’s everything we know about Daniel’s upcoming movies, including the latest scoop on the KathNiel movie comeback.
Related: Kathryn Bernardo Is Back! Here Are The New Projects From The Box Office Queen To Get Excited About
SUPREMO X HENERAL
Three years after starring in the critically acclaimed film Kun Maupay Man It Panahon, Daniel Padilla is back with a bang, ready to tackle a new slate of exciting projects that are sure to pique your interests. The first project to be revealed in the New Move Alert event is The Guest, a suspenseful thriller that promises to showcase a different side of DJ as an actor.
“It’s more of a psychological suspense thriller. [I’m] kind of imagining it as a modern film noir,” shares director Jerrold Tarog (who previously helmed Heneral Luna) about the project under Black Sheep. While most of The Guest’s plot is still wrapped in mystery, Tarog says the film will have a lot of twists and turns and will be a complete mess with our heads. And coming from the great mind behind Bliss, we’re really in for one hell of a ride.
Apart from direk Jerrold Tarog, the creative team of The Guest includes Kookai Labayen (Isa Pa, With Feelings) as the project’s creative manager and writer Patrick Valencia, who is also the co-writer of Kathryn Bernardo’s upcoming movie, Elena, 1944. Adding to the excitement, it’s been confirmed that veteran actor and Volpi Cup-winner John Arcilla will join Daniel in this thriller. The Supremo meets Heneral in a movie that’s sure to be a game-changer for DJ’s career.
“Very excited ako gawin ‘tong film na ‘to kasi napakahusay na aktor [ni sir John]. Kapag ganyan ang katrabaho mo, it just pushes you to do better pa also. So I’m just excited to do this film,” says DJ. To which Arcilla replied with equal enthusiasm and excitement, “Daniel Padilla is the number one heartthrob sa Philippine entertainment at isa sa mga batang best actor, so exciting, sobra!” Production of The Guest will start this year and is slated for release in 2024.
BUDDY COMEDY WITH HIS REAL-LIFE BUDDY
A story that made Daniel Padilla say yes just by seeing the title, Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan is the next project to be unveiled. And even if without the synopsis yet, the story sure sounds enticing already. It’s based on a short story written by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, which will be directed by Dan Villegas (Hintayan ng Langit, Exes Baggage) with creative manager Vanessa Valdez (who also helms Elena, 1944), and writer Carmi Raymundo, who is the creative manager of Kathryn’s Elena, 1944.
Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan is described as a lighthearted buddy comedy with a deeper narrative layer that delves into the “mysteries of life, love, friendship and death.””Andoon ‘yung comedy, ‘di ba? Pero hindi siya slapstick na nagpapatawa,” DJ teases. “Kumbaga, life is amusing. Nakakatawa ang buhay eh, ‘di ba. The beauty of life and beauty of death, balanse ‘yun eh. Dito natin makikita ‘yun.”
According to Valdez, DJ will play the role of death in the film and deems him as the best person to portray it and help spark a discussion among the people of his generation and have a “deeper appreciation of life.” Fellow leading man and DJ’s close friend Zanjoe Marudo will co-star in Kamatayan, which also marks his star Cinema comeback after five years.
“Si [Zanjoe], alam natin kung anong standard niya sa pag-arte,” DJ explains. “Kaysa isipin ko na dahil kaibigan ko siya kaya kami magkasama, yung kalidad ni [Zanjoe] yung tinanggap natin dito.” According to ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen, the shooting of Kamatayan will start real soon while the movie will be released in cinemas this year.
THE KATHNIEL MOVIE
During Kathryn Bernardo’s NMA event last month, the Asia’s Superstar revealed that the new KathNiel film is in full swing and will have its own separate launch. Daniel Padilla echoed this exciting announcement last night and described their reunion movie as something they’ve never done before as a love team.
“Bago talaga yung gagawin namin ni Kathryn dito. Medyo matrabaho pero very exciting,” DJ shares about the KathNiel comeback movie, which will be helmed by their frequent collaborator, director Cathy Garcia-Molina. Curious about its progress and release date? DJ reveals, “Next year pa lalabas, pero ngayon nagsisimula na ‘yung development ng kwento. Magshu-shoot na rin kami this year.”
Continue Reading: 6 Times The Kathniel Squad Made Us Want To Be Part Of Their Crew
