John Lloyd Cruz considers his upcoming movie with Toni Gonzaga an exciting experience since he's a self-confessed fan of the multi-media celebrity.
"I'm very excited. Super bigatin na excitement din dahil I've seen her movies and her works," said the three-time Box Office King in an interview at the launching of his Greenwich Overloaded Bigatin Pizza endorsement earlier today, August 10, at the Megamall Atrium in Mandaluyong City.
He added, "Dati na akong fan ng kanyang wit, ng kanyang humor, ng kanyang talent. Narinig ko na rin, nai-present [na ang project] sa akin noong naging parte tayo ng isang maliit na brainstorming na naganap noong nakaraang linggo. Tuwang-tuwa ako and I think isa itong perfect project para sa amin ni Toni."
Aside from being paired with the TV host-actress-singer, John Lloyd also looks forward to the approach that director Cathy Garcia-Molina will do in this film. She directed the movies that made John Lloyd "Box Office King": One More Chance (2007), A Very Special Love (2008), and You Changed My Life (2009). Direk Cathy was also at the helm when Toni did her movies with Sam Milby: You Are The One (2006) and You Got Me (2007).
"Alam ko na 'yong concept, alam ko na 'yong istorya, pero hindi ko alam kung papaanong approach or papaanong timpla ang gagawin ni Direk Cathy," said John Lloyd.
The 27-year-old actor refused to give more details about the project, but he assured the media that's it is going to be different from his previous romantic comedy movies.
"Para sa akin kasi, project-wise, it's very inspiring. Inspiring in a sense na masayang-masaya ako na dumating sa akin itong project na ito at feeling ko, dumating siya sa tamang pagkakataon para sa amin ni Toni."
ON HIS CANCELLED MOVIE WITH SARAH. If John Lloyd openly talked about his next movie project with Toni, he became exactly the opposite when asked about his cancelled movie with Sarah Geronimo. This was supposed to be the their third movie together under Star Cinema, after A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life. (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
John Lloyd said he really has no idea about the reason behind the cancellation of the movie.
"I think nasasabi ko naman yata sa inyo na ginagawa na 'yong script, 'no? Kasi, 'yon ang alam ko at that time. Pero 'yon pala, hindi na matutuloy. Hindi ko alam, 'no? Wala ako sa tamang position para magbigay ng dahilan o magsalita kung bakit siya hindi natuloy. Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano 'yong totoong reason. Pero ang alam ko lang ngayon, I think it's safe to say na hindi na siya tuloy."
Did he feel any regret about not doing another movie with Sarah?
John Lloyd said if he had seen the final script, he would have a hard time accepting the fact that his third team-up with Sarah won't push through.
He explained, "I guess kung nabuo 'yong script, natapos, nabasa ko, at nakita ko ang potensiyal ng istorya o noong project, at nagustuhan ko, baka naging mas mahirap. Kasi, alam mo 'yong team-up namin, parang hindi mo ine-expect, parang one of a kind. Bihira 'yong ganung successs na dumadapo sa isang team-up. So, siguro... Ako kasi, sa tingin ko, parang we owe it to the fans na sumuporta, all the fans na nagpakita ng suporta."
The award-winning actor also recalled the time when they were still not sure how the public would accept his tandem with the Popstar Princess.
"Kasi, noong una, parang hindi mo alam kung paano mo ibebenta, e. Lahat, halos lahat sinasabi, 'Ano 'yan? Ano'ng pelikula? Bakit sila?' Then, pinalabas at ang ganda ng naging reception ng mga tao. So, buti na lang talaga, fortunately, hindi na umabot sa punto na nakita pa namin 'yong script. Kasi, otherwise, baka naging mas mahirap tanggapin."
Right now, John Lloyd just wants to move on and continue doing more projects for his supporters. He also likes to give his attention to the blessings that continuously come his way instead of thinking about negative experiences.
"It's a one bigatin year for me," he said. "Iba talaga ang mga blessings na dumating sa akin ngayon. Sunud-sunod nga, e, talagang wala kang reason para mag-complain. Parang ano lang talaga, pasasalamat lang. Kumbaga, hindi nauubusan ng panahon para ipaalala sa akin kung gaano ako ka-blessed. Parang it's a good year for me and I really appreciate everything, and I'm very thankful sa lahat ng nangyayari ngayon."