Sarah G-Matteo, Aga-Julia movies lead Viva’s 2024 big-screen slate
MANILA, Philippines — Viva Entertainment hopes to woo more audiences back to the cinemas by featuring fresh and first-time team-ups in its 2024 film slate. Leading the line-up are real-life couple Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo, Aga Muhlach and Julia Barretto, and Alden Richards with Heaven Peralejo.
For Matteo and Sarah, who will be paired for the first time in a film, they are taking on the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean romantic-comedy about body-swapping, Wonderful Nightmare (2015).
Asked what made them say yes to the film offer, Matteo recently told The STAR that it was Sarah’s personal choice. “I did not decide, she decided (laughs). Actually, she has been looking for a material. She’s very meticulous in searching and approving materials. This is one of the scripts presented to her and this is the one she approved of,” Matteo shared.
“Now, we’re slowly forming the team for this. (Again) she is very meticulous in building the team and how projects are made so hopefully, everything will be a success and that we could get the right people to sail the ship and to execute this project.”
Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko, a May-December romance, promises the fresh tandem of Aga and Julia, who portray a musical conductor and chorister, respectively.
Asked what attracted him to the material, Aga previously said in a presscon, “I’m playing my age. She’s playing her age. In reality, it happens,” referring to people falling in love despite the age gap. “It’s as real as it gets.”
Julia, on the other hand, underwent voice lessons and immersed herself in the chorale world as preparation for the film shot in Baguio.
“It’s a whole different world, it’s a different language, for me — the world of chorales, the art of music, singers. And then, you immerse in that kind of world, it makes life so fun and interesting because there’s something new to experience every day,” she said.
The playdate of the film that highlights the enduring songs of the late composer George Canseco and the hit music of newcomer Cup of Joe has been set to February, the love month. Director is Irene Villamor.
Heaven, on the other hand, recently teased what viewers can look forward to in her first-ever collaboration with Alden, which is tentatively titled as Out of Order. The film is said to be more suspense-oriented than romance.
“I can’t say enough, (Alden is) like the best co-actor. He’s a first-time director, but he knows what he wants and he’s really one of the best directors I’ve worked with,” said Heaven, who won late last year as Best Actress at the Luna Awards and National Winner for Best Actress at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for the sexy thriller Nananahimik Ang Gabi.
“He’s not strict. He’s gonna give you suggestions but he also makes you collaborate with him.”
These films form part of a multi-genre roster of offerings meant to be seen on the big screen as Viva goes full blast in theater releases this year.
Asked about his thoughts on the industry facing challenges with audience attendance amid streaming options, Aga said, “We just try to keep on doing good movies, and hopefully, someday, one day, bumalik ang sigla or ang hilig ng tao kasi hindi mo masisisi, it’s instant gratification, it’s fast. You want to watch now, sa TV ka nalang, sa bahay ka nalang, wala kang gastos.
“But then, there’s also the experience of watching it on the big screen. Ibang-iba talaga ang feeling ‘pag ganun. So, hopefully, it comes back or kids and young people discover the experience of watching inside a movie house.
“Mas malaki yung pelikula, mas maganda tingnan at saka may oras. Kasi ngayon, parang nawawalan ng patience yung mga tao, just a few minutes of watching, then change to next and the next. It seems they don’t have time to pay, sit down and relax without holding their phones, and watch for an hour and a half. But we’re hoping that when they see this movie, and when they see the trailer, they will get excited. And they will see something we also see.”
Meanwhile, one of the upcoming titles is Zombabe, which serves as Viva’s opening salvo this January, blending horror, comedy and romance. Directed by Bobby Bonifacio, the film stars Empoy Marquez as Pong who exerts heroic but hilarious efforts to keep the girl that he loves, played by Kim Molina as Yasmine, from transforming into a real zombie.
Also rolling into cinemas this month are Roadtrip, starring Janice de Belen, Gelli de Belen, Carmina Villarroel, and Candy Pangilinan; Raging Grace featuring Max Eigenmann; Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko topbilled by Janno Gibbs and Miracle in Cell No. 7’s child wonder Xia Vigor; and the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, featuring Toni Gonzaga and Pepe Herrera and directed by Fifth Solomon.
Other movies intended for theatrical distribution are Pagpag 24/7 with Gerald Napoles, Wilbert Ross and Coleen Garcia; Dearly Beloved with Cristine Reyes and Baron Geisler; Glimpse of Forever with Diego Loyzaga, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Jerome Ponce; and Elevator Game with Kylie Verzosa and Paulo Avelino.
Also in various stages of production are Jerald Napoles and Janno Gibbs’ Tito X Tito; Diego Loyzaga, Rhen Escano and Joel Torre’s Bullet Day; and Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo’s Men are from QC, Women are from Alabang.
Viva Films is also releasing Alessandra de Rossi’s Ang Tatlong Pinakamahabang Gabi, Atasha Muhlach’s film debut Sword’s Up, as well as Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles’ comeback in Best Before Love.
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