June 23, 2009. Manila, Philippines
It was recently discussed in another interview with Marian Rivera that the new DARNA 2009 tv series will combine the best aspects of the original with new twists. Aside from utilizing the original villains Mars Ravelo created for his premiere superheroine, Marian's new DARNA series is also inspired by some of the older movies. She mentions that her version of the mortal woman, NARDA will have a handicap. In the 1975 movie, 'Darna Vs. The Planet Women' actress Vilma Santos' played Narda as a handicapped woman who used a crutch to be able to walk.
Granted, this idea isn't new as comicdoms' Freddy Freeman, a.k.a. CAPTAIN MARVEL JR. was the first famous hero whose mortal persona used crutches. Years later, Marvel Comics' Mighty THOR introduced the world to Dr. Donald Blake who also had a handicap and walked using a cane. But in his case, it's the cane that unleashed the power for him to transform to the Mighty Thor.
DARNA, CAPTAIN MARVEL & THE MARVEL FAMILY and Britian's MARVELMAN (a.k.a. MIRACLEMAN) all used 'magic words' to transform. When asked for a sample of her 'Darna Yell', she teases and says 'you'll have to watch the show and see for yourself when it begins in August, 2009.
Unlike the 2005 TV series that starred Angel Locsin as DARNA, the new series
is not going to follow the 'Telenovela' format of the previous one but instead will have a lighter touch and a sense of humor and fun yet still be an exciting adventure series. Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez has been cast to portray Narda's potential 'boyfriend' but the show will focus more on the incredible chemistry between DARNA/ Narda and her brother/sidekick, 'Ding' played by Buboy Villar whom she had worked previously with on another 'Mars Ravelo Komiks heroine series, 'Dyesebel'.
Will the new series exceed the success of the 2005 series, only time will tell.
-Raffy Arcega
Consultant, Publicist
Official Mars Ravelo's DARNA Website
MarsRaveloDarna.com and
MarsRaveloSuperheroes.tripod.com
credits:
Pic of Marian Rivera as DARNA and DARNA logo -Courtesy of GMA network, inc.
Darna Art: Bong Leal
Mars Ravelo's DARNA is (c)Mars Ravelo Marvelous Characters, Inc.