JANE de Leon will be the first to acknowledge she is relatively inexperienced compared to past Darna actresses, saying she understands the skepticism over her casting as the komiks icon.
She was introduced as the new Darna in July 2019, after an open audition that drew 300 aspirants, including established actresses and fresh talents.
At the time, de Leon’s casting as Darna, by her own admission, raised a few eyebrows, due to her being a relative newcomer.
De Leon expects that the same skepticism, questioning her capability to lend justice to the iconic character, will resurface as cameras start rolling for the new adaptation.
“I think it’s very normal to feel down if it’s a negative comment,” she said. “Kailangan lang talaga matuto ako kung paano mag-manage noon, kasi it’s normal sa showbiz.”
“I do understand. Kasi nga, wala pa naman,” de Leon pointed out, referring to zero footage of her in the role being released since her casting.
“Sino ba ako? Totoo naman. Baguhan ‘to. Saan nanggaling ‘to? Bakit siya? Iyon ‘yung mga tanong ng netizens. Even me. Huwag kayo mag-alala, kahit ako, tanong ko ‘yun sa sarili ko: Bakit ba ako ‘yung napili?”
De Leon recognizes that while there are naysayers, there are many fans, too, who are looking forward to seeing her in action as Darna. Their support, she said, has been a source of motivation in the face of pressures and challenges that come with the coveted role. (ABS-CBN)
