Victor Villanueva (left) with “Jhon En Martian” stars Arci Muñoz (center) and Pepe Herrera (right). | Instagram photo
Cebu City, Philippines—“I hope people will have a good time.”
This was the message of Cebuano director Victor Villanueva as “Jhon En Martian” will be streamed on IWant starting April 14.
“Jhon En Martian” will be Villanueva’s first sci-fi comedy project headlined by Arci Muñoz and Pepe Herrera.
“We did things with this series that normally would not be allowed on television because medyo naay kulit ug gamay naughtiness na irreverent,” he told Cebu Daily News Digital.
(We did things with this series that normally wouldn’t be allowed on television because there is naughtiness which is irreverent.)
Before “Jhon En Martia”, Villanueva is known for his comedy films like “Patay na Si Hesus” (2017) and “Kusina Kings” (2018).
Among the challenges in making the project includes understanding the visual effects and how to shoot it
“Even though it is like a television series, I still used cinematic film language elements in it. Best siya tan-awon na dako na screen though okay gihapon sa mobile pero lahi siya kung dako ang screen,” Villanueva added.
(Even though it is like a television series, I still used cinematic film language elements in it. It is best to watch it on large screens though it is still okay to watch it on a mobile device. But you can see the difference in watching it on large screens.)
Another challenge was writing the project since it is different from writing a movie. “Jhon En Martian” is written by Joma Labayen.
“You have to consider how a series framework works when mag butang og cliffhanger ug mga planting og plot elements,” Villanueva added.
Working with Arci and Pepe
The Cebuano director said he is lucky working with Muñoz and Herrera.
“May comic timing ang dalawa na very swabe. Si Arci pa na isang anime fan din naintindihan niya ang aking mga influences. Pepe also is a collaborative actor and loves to suggest lines or gags to make the scenes better,” he added.
(Both have a very good comic timing. Arci also understands me more about my influences since she is an anime fan. Pepe also is a collaborative actor and loves to suggest lines or gags to make the scenes better.)
In the story, Muñoz plays 223, the Martian who falls to Earth.
She will meet Jhon Apollo played but Herrera who is set to leave for Malaysia.
Can Herrera leave for Malaysia when 223 will ask him to find her spaceship so that she can return home?
“I hope they finished all 5 episodes because of naay hints of a season two. We are doing this canned season thing like how western shows do it. So expect some irreverent wackiness and a feels ending with Jhon En Martian,” Villanueva said.
He also praised other stars in the “Jhon En Martian” like Ruffa Mae Quinto.
“Like you have never seen her before kasi Martian Queen siya na may four boobs,” he added.
“Jhon En Martian” is produced by Project 8 corner San Joaquin Projects, Quantum Films, and ABS-CBN. /bmjo
