Star Cinema waited for Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera to be the lead stars of the movie Rewind.
This was what screenwriter Enrico Santos revealed during the media conference of Rewind this Monday night, December 4, 2023.
According to Enrico, Star Cinema pitched the story to the couple as early as 2019.
"Siyempre, Star Cinema, sabi, 'We're dreaming of a DongYan movie. Puwede ba tayo gumawa ng kuwento?'
"When we pitched it separately [to] Dingdong and Marian, parang nagustuhan. Pero siyempre poker face. Kinakabahan kami.
"Then, Marian naman, napangilid ko ang luha, pero di sumagot kung nagustuhan niya. So, we were wondering."
The project got held up due to the pandemic.
Enrico continued, "Sabi nila, gusto nila. But nag-pandemic, willing to be wait daw ba kami?
"We had a long discussion. Siyempre, first choice, only choice natin, sinulat natin para sa kanila.
"Pagka ba ganun ba ka-swak ang materyal, hihintayin ba natin o magpaplano na tayo ng iba?
"The uninanimous decision was no one else can do it but Dingdong and Marian. No one else can give life to the role that was made specifically for them.
"In fact, ang totoo niyan, iniisip ko sila habang isinusulat. What would Marian have reacted? What would Dingdong have said? In my mind, ha?
"Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang totoo niyong buhay, ha. Sana hindi. Pero in my mind, kung sila ang pagtatagasin ko, yun ang iniisip ko."
While he previously worked with both stars in the past, Enrico clarified that he doesn't know them on a personal level but only as colleagues.
"Siyempre nasa GMA sila, so hindi ko masyado nakakachismisan.
"But Dong and Marian is a legendary couple. They're open-hearted about their marriage and their relationship.
"What we admire is it's truly strong, loyal and long-lasting. What will challenge this relationship and make the audience feel that this is stronger after the movie? That's it. Lumabas."
Based on the full trailer of Rewind that was launched during the mediacon, Dingdong and Marian bring to life to the story of Mary and John whose marriage is being put to the test because of differences and inner wounds.
One of their big fights results to a car accident that costs Mary's life. In his grief, John meets "Lods," who gives him a chance to turn back time and go back to the day before the accident. What can John do in order to save Mary from dying in the car accident?
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MARIAN AND DINGDONG ON REWIND'S FULL TRAILER
Upon watching the trailer, Marian said she still feels surreal that she and Dingdong have already finished shooting their reunion movie.
Marian told Dingdong, "Dad, totoo ba 'to? Hindi nagsi-sink in sa akin. Nakaka-proud na nakagawa ako ng isang pangarap kong pelikula.
"Hindi ko alam kung anong pakiramdam ko na gumawa ako sa Star Cinema at andito ako ngayon sa ABS-CBN to promote this movie.
"So, I'm very blessed, and very excited kami i-share sa inyo ang trailer. Trailer pa lang masasapul na kayo."
To which, Dingdong added, "Napakatagal na namin inantay ang pagkakataon na ito na mai-share sa inyo.
"Sana buong pelikula na, pero wag muna. Antayin natin yung showing.
"Pero eto muna pagbungad. Snippets ng aming pelikula na proud na proud kami ihandog sa inyo."
Dingdong had worked with Star Cinema for the movies Seven Sundays (2017) and She's The One (2013).
Marian, for her part, did Kung Fu Divas for Star Cinema back in 2013, but this is the first time that she's doing a heavy drama film for ABS-CBN's film company arm.
When asked if Dingdong gave her an idea what to expect on the set, Marian replied, "Bago mag-start isa lang sinabi niya sa akin, 'I'm very excited for you.'
"The mere fact na sinabi niya sa akin yun, alam niya mag-e-enjoy ako at sure siya na aalagaan ako ng Star Cinema."
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MARIAN WILLING TO DO ANOTHER MOVIE STAR CINEMA
Marian went on to say that she was not only wowed by the script, but she also enjoyed working with the cast which includes Joross Gamboa, Pamu Pamurada, Via Antonio, Pepe Herrera, and Ariel Ureta among others.
"Yun ang palagi kong goal, e. Every time na gagawa ako ng proyekto, gusto ko nagiging kapamilya ko sila, and nangyari yan dito.
"Bonus pa with Direk Mae Alviar Cruz, tapos kasama ko pa si Dong. Lubos biyaya talaga na pinagkaloob sa akin ito.
"Sa kinukuwento ni Dong sa akin sa mga experience niya, sabi ko, 'Dad, at least ngayon alam ko na ang pakiramdam!'"
On doing a Star Cinema movie, Marian added, "Nahigitan pa yung experience ko. Ay, ang saya! May susunod uli!"