Jason Paul Laxamana’s new Epik Studios superhero adaptation, Penduko, is getting an audience soon as one of four titles to make it to the first cut for the upcoming 49th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Actor Matteo Guidicelli, who joined the fantasy action production back in 2019, stars in the title role alongside Cristine Reyes (Maria). Laxamana adapts Francisco V. Coching’s original Engkantos comic which took off in 1954.
Penduko hails from Sari Sari Network and sees Guidicelli as Pedro, a twenty year-old wimp from the U.S. who journeys to the Philippines following the death of his Father. While searching for his mother, he soon discovers a curse and evil forces destroying the town.
The new movie had been in development for years with a few other directors attached prior, and with James Reid set to star in the film before a spinal injury took him out of the production. Guidicelli will be the fourth and latest actor to portray the character for the big screen.
The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival runs from this December through January 2024.
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