Rufa Mae Quinto showed off her skills as the next Darna in a funny audition skit on an episode of ABS-CBN’s “Tonight with Boy Abunda.”
Quinto previously played another Filipino superheroine “Super-B,” which was also inspired by Darna, in 2002.
She said that what she initially requested to Star Cinema, the producer of the anticipated movie, to be part of the cast.
Boy Abunda or Tito Boy then coaxed her to apply for the much-coveted role of Darna instead.
“If you are listening, Star Cinema, then you will choose me,” Quinto said.
The long-time comedienne later cartwheeled across the stage as part of her supposed audition.
However, her pants got ripped when she suddenly jumped to transform from Narda to Darna.
The video of this portion was posted on the program’s official Facebook page on April 25 and immediately made rounds hours later.
#BagongDarna
The search for the new actress to play the Mars Ravelo’s character started after Liza Soberano announced she could no longer perform the lead role for the movie project.
ABS-CBN cited Soberano’s finger bone fracture she suffered while doing a fight scene in “Bagani,” a television series where she and Enrique Gil were the main stars.
“Unfortunately, after consultation with her doctors, it was deemed best for Liza not to pursue the project as the injury shall hamper her from effectively doing the movie stunts required,” said ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications Head Kane Errol Choa.
The #BagongDarna soon trended on Twitter after. Filipinos were divided among Julia Montes, Nadine Lustre and Maja Salvador.
Angel Locsin, who depicted the superheroine in a TV series, was originally tapped to reprise the Darna role into the big screen.
However, she developed a spine injury in 2015 due to her rigorous training regimens in preparation for the film.
Celebrated director Jerrold Tarog currently leads the production of the project.
In 2018, Erik Matti resigned from it due to creative differences after working with the team for five years.
