Their entry is “Popoy and Jack, The Puliscredibles”, (the title is obviously inspired by the hit animated film, "The Incredibles") will be directed by Coco himself using his real name, Rodel Nacianceno. It’s a co-production between Coco and Vic’s own movie companies, along with APT Entertainment. It is said that their leading ladies will be Maricel Soriano and Maine Mendoza. No doubt this will be a formidable entry with a real powerhouse cast. With their combined resources and strengths, will they now be able to beat Vice Ganda at the box office this time?
Vice Ganda’s entry has also been accepted and the title is “Fantastica: The Princess, The Prince and the Perya”. He will be supported by young stars Maris Racal, Loisa Andalio and Maymay Entrata. The fantasy comedy is a co-production between Viva and ABS-CBN and will be directed by Barry Gonzales, who helmed the fairly entertaining but dismal flop of Viva that was “Fangirl/Fanboy”. It’s said they’re eyeing Dingdong Dantes to be Vice’s leading man in the movie and no doubt that this will be a great come on as it’s the first time Vice and Dingdong will work together.
But Anne Curtis should not be counted out. Her entry is a horror flick, “Aurora”, and we know that horror movies always make big money at the tills during the holiday season. For some reason, viewers want to have a good scare at Christmas time. This one was already filmed on location in Batanes and it’s directed by Yam Laranas, who once had a horror hit in the filmfest, “Sigaw” produced by Regal and starring Richard Gutierrez, which was even remade in Hollywood as “The Echo”. The fourth entry is from Quantum Films and MJM Productions, which made previous hit entries like “English Only Please” and “Walang Forever” that both starred Jennylyn Mercado. Their movie this time is “The Girl in the Orange Dress” with Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Tom Rodriguez, Jessy Mendiola and Keith Thompson. Kim Chiu was originally in the cast but it seems she has another commitment with Star Cinema so she will be replaced by someone else and we won’t be surprised if it turns out to be Jennylyn.
This is to be directed by Jay Abello, who directed the 2014 indie drama movie, “Red” starring Jericho Rosales, the 2015 romance starring Solenn Heussaff and Rocco Nacino, “Flotsam”, and has just completed a new movie called “Pinay Beauty” with Chai Fonacier. “The Girl in the Orange Dress” will be his biggest break so far.
We're just curious that these four films were chosen on the basis of their scripts, but the scriptwriters are not even mentioned. The next four entries will be chosen from completed films and the final four will be announced on September 21. The criteria followed in choosing the entries are: Artistic Excellence – 40%, Commercial Appeal – 40%, Filipino Cultural Sensibility – 10% at Global Appeal – 10%.
