Even though we’ve only seen the first official trailer, Mars Ravelo’s Darna is already looking like a masterpiece. It’s been years in the making but now it’s finally within our grasp. The series, helmed by filmmaker Chito S. Roño, is set to premiere in August 2022 to excited Pinoys who have gushed over the newly-released trailer and are now excited to see our new Darna in action. What are Pinoys looking forward to?

A fresh storyline

This version of Darna doesn’t start with Narda chancing upon the magical stone that gives her superpowers. She inherits the stone from her mother (Iza Calzado) who was Darna before her and who dies at the hands of evil men. Narda doesn’t want anything to do with the magical stone, so she chooses to ignore its powers. But eventually, she realizes she has to answer the call of destiny.

Everyone is looking forward to the graphics

ABS-CBN. DID. THAT.

The set, CGI and VFX, star-studded casts, and the one and only Jane de Leon as Darna!

True to their word, they’re going global. #Darna #DarnaTheTVSeries #DarnaTrailer

Part 1 pic.twitter.com/eNP34Dt0RM

— leo #LeniKiko2022 (@ssamuelaaronn) July 7, 2022

NGL, most CGI work in the Philippines is laughable. In most series and movies, the edits are rough and way too obvious that they become cringe. We’re sure we’ve got talented animators but it’s the unrealistic deadlines coupled with the lack of software or low pay that does them in. But the CGI for this version of Darna looks promising, based on the official trailer. Coupled with the cinematography and color grading, we’re sure it won’t disappoint fans of the superheroine.

The Hollywood-like series poster

Netizens were also blown away by the series’ official poster which many say could rival that of Hollywood movies. The poster, created by Justin Besana, initially looks like regular rubble after a fight. But upon closer inspection, you’ll see Darna’s silhouette, a snake that foreshadows Valentina, and the wreckage resembling Darna’s headdress.

All eyes are on Jane de Leon

There have been many actresses who have been Darna before so Pinoys are excited about how Jane de Leon will embody her version. We’ve seen her in her Narda form, a simple girl whose mother dies in battle and who wants to run away from her destiny. We’ve yet to see her transform to Darna. But if her shout of “Darna!” after swallowing the magic stone is anything to go by, the long wait to see her final warrior form will be worth it.

Iza Calzado as the first Darna

Iza Calzado as Leonor Custodio, the first Darna who will pass on her powers to her daughter Narda ✨ #DarnaTrailer pic.twitter.com/nLgZjj08sR

— Miguel Dumaual (@migueldumaual) July 7, 2022

And speaking of warrior form, Iza Calzado nailed it. The Internet collectively gasped when Calzado appeared in the trailer as the first Darna. ICYDK, the 39-year-old actress was supposed to play Darna back in 2005 for the GMA Network’s series adaptation. However, as we all know, the lead role was eventually given to actress Angel Locsin.

In an Instagram post she shared last August 2021, Calzado expressed her sentiments about being cast as the older Darna. “The journey to this has been 17 years for me with a lot of painful parts that I have come to accept with grace because I know this is part of my journey to becoming my own kind of Darna,” she said.

Let’s talk about @MissIzaCalzado as Darna ✨#DarnaTrailer pic.twitter.com/WyXIF4uTRf

— franzzz (@theoldfrancis) July 7, 2022

Janella Salvador’s role

the way Janella Salvador did not utter a single word but her presence was so charismatic. Her take on Valentina would absolutely EATTTT #DarnaTrailer https://t.co/LbkrJc5euE

— rich (taylor’s version) (@richardmz13) July 7, 2022

Pinoys are also excited for Janella Salvador to show everyone her own version of Valentina, Darna’s snake-haired archenemy. While the trailer didn’t reveal much about the story behind this version of Valentina, we did see glimpses of Salvador looking as if she’s having internal struggles. We’re definitely tuning in to see how awesome they will make the snakes on her head look like.

i am officially a valentina apologist #DarnaTrailer pic.twitter.com/jQprc4ehM4

— khel. (@gwskhel) July 7, 2022

Are you excited for Darna? Share your thoughts about the trailer in the comments!

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