Kathryn Bernardo is officially making her comeback on the big screen with powerful projects in genres you’ve never seen her in before.

Asia’s Superstar made the announcement during the “New Movie Alert: Kathryn” event on Monday, Mar. 27, where she unveiled the movies she will be doing for Star Cinema and Black Sheep.

First to be announced is the dark comedy “A Very Good Girl” where she will star alongside Golden Globes 2023 nominee Dolly de Leon, from a screenplay by Dominique Mancol, with creative direction by Carmi Raymundo, and to be directed by Petersen Vargas.

 

While details are still kept under wraps, Direk Petersen hinted that it’s going to be a film “with a lot of sass and class,” in an attempt to “[represent a] frustrated and powerless generation through Kathryn’s character.”

“So, maraming aabangan,” he further teased.

“I love watching dark comedy series and movies, pero ‘yung gagawin ko ‘yun, for sure it’ll be challenging, but I’m accepting the challenge,” she enthused.

As for when the cameras will start rolling, Kathryn hinted, “We will be shooting very, very soon” before confirming that “it’ll be shown in cinemas this year.”

Another project where Kathryn will push her limits further is the period drama “Elena 1944” where she will reunite with the esteemed filmmaker Olivia “Inang” M. Lamasan, who will be helming the movie.

Together with Enrico Santos and Patrick Valencia as the writers, and Vanessa Valdez as the creative manager, “Elena 1944” is based on a Palanca Award-winning screenplay by Valencia, which is a story of Elena, a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation.

The historical drama will not only be a first for Kathryn, but it will also push her limits as an actress to do “more edgy,” “more mature,” and “more daring” roles, according to Direk Olive.

“It’s also an action-drama for Kathryn. Ang exciting lang niya but we wouldn’t go [into] much [detail about] the story,” Inang stated. She then addressed Kathryn, “Ang masasabi ko lang, it’s a very challenging role for you, very daring. I’m very, very grateful na tinanggap mo.”

It was in 2019 when the story was first pitched to Kathryn, but she admitted that she was not yet ready for such types of roles at that time.

“Sobrang ganda noong material pero syempre nandoon ‘yung takot, marami ka pang kailangan kausapin, i-consult, kasi medyo hindi pa ako sensitive, hindi pa ako ready for these kinds of roles,” she shared.

Fast forward to the present, she believes fate made way for the project to happen at the right time — when she, her mother Min Bernardo, boyfriend Daniel Padilla, and her loyal fans are more than ready now to see her in a different role.

“Nandito tayo ngayon, I turned 27, mas ready na si DJ, mas ready na si Mama, ‘yung fans most especially, I think ready sila. Ako, personally, alam ko noong tinanong ako ni Inang na parang gusto ko na siya gawin kasi buo na puso ko gawin siya,” she asserted.

More than doing something new, Kathryn says the film’s message of women empowerment is what inspired her the most to do it, because she sees the struggle of comfort women as something that represents her own womanhood.

Meanwhile, fans of KathNiel as a tandem wouldn’t have to worry about the status of the team-up, since KathNiel’s movie with director Cathy Garcia-Molina is still pushing through.

“Meron kami gagawin individually, but meron pa rin under Direk Cathy,” Kathryn clarified. “Binigyan lang din siguro namin ng time because we both needed to do this and approved ‘to naming dalawa. Mutual decision ‘to and excited din ako for what’s in store for him.”

Indeed, it’s a new era for Kathryn, and we’re at the edge of our seats to learn more of what’s to come! Make sure you follow Star Cinema and Black Sheep’s official social media pages to stay updated on our new movie alert announcements!