WATCH: Rufa Mae Quinto reacts to being nominated to replace Liza as Darna

MANILA, Philippines — The search is on for the next actress who will replace Liza Soberano in the Star Cinema revival of Mars Ravelo’s “Darna.”

Among fans’ favorites to revive the Pinay superhero onscreen is comedian Rufa Mae Quinto.

In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com prior to the screening of her new movie “Jhon En Martian,” Rufa Mae shared what she thinks about fans’ request to see her as Darna.

“Oo nga eh. Star Cinema, mag-isip-isip pa! Lumipad na tayo, together!” Rufa Mae quipped.

She thinks people associate her 2002 superhero film "Super B" with Darna.

“Gusto kasi nila ‘yung Super B… Pero pwede namang gawing Super D!” she vouched.

“Pero thank you sa inyong lahat na nakapag-isip (to suggest me). I mean, sineryoso nila ‘yung pag-vote for me. Talaga, akala ko nga joke lang. S’yempre isipin ko ba, D’yos ko, iisipin ko pa bang aabot ako sa Darna role? Charot!”

At first, she cannot believe that she has been nominated to replace Liza.

“’Di kasi ‘yun nga, gusto ng bayan gumanap akong Darna. S’yempre, una ‘di ako naniwala dahil nga ang bagets-bagets ni Liza, ‘di ba? Pero sabi ko, okay, mag-wowork-out ako. Charot!”

She, however, is open if ever Star Cinema offers her the role.

“Paghahandaan ko kayo at aabangan ko tawad ninyo, Star Cinema! Charot!” she said with a laugh.

“Pero nakakatuwa ‘yun. Magandang balita ‘yun na iniisip nila ko, kino-consider. Matinding request ng bayan, yes!”

Rufa Mae also made a shout out to the movie’s director, Jerrold Tarog.

“Direk, hello!” she said.

Tarog recently answered a Twitter user’s query if he is the next one to back out from the long awaited Filipino superhero movie.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA First it was Angel, then Direk Matti and now Liza. Aantayin kong si Direk @JerroldTarog ang mag-resign,” the Twitter user tagged Jerrold. 

Replying to the tweet, the “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” director assured he will not back out from the movie project, even sharing that he was informed about Liza’s departure weeks ago. 

“Hindi naman. Busy pa din kami. They informed me about Liza's decision weeks ago. I was quite sad about it, but her health is more important. Abangan niyo na lang kung sino ang bagong #Darna,” Jerrold said. 

It was 2015 when Erik Matti and Star Cinema agreed to do the new version of “Darna.” Angel Locsin, who played the heroine role on TV, was approached by Erik to play the role, but the actress declined because of her spine injury. 

In October 2018, Star Cinema revealed that the film production and Erik agreed to part ways due to creative difference. 

Recently, Liza also backed out from the movie because of the finger injury she suffered while shooting the now concluded teleserye “Bagani,” prompting Star Cinema to look for a new actress to play the iconic Darna role. — Video by Kat Leandicho