Daniel Padilla embodies what a true leading man of his generation is — one whose very presence commands the scene while endearing us with his irresistible charm, always courageous in his choices and actions, and constantly works with full commitment. As he continues to walk this path, Daniel is finally coming back on the big screen, in movies that will definitely challenge him and push his limits like never before as an actor.

The Supreme leading man unveiled his upcoming projects during the “New Movie Alert: Daniel” event on Thursday, April 27. These include a buddy comedy film, “Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan”, under Star Cinema, and a psychological suspense thriller, “The Guest”, under Black Sheep.

“Very excited syempre, it’s been a while [since I did a movie],” Daniel said. “Itong mga proyektong gagawin natin is handpicked. Na-feel din nila ‘yung gusto kong gawin ngayon, eh.”

For his first movie, “Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan”, Daniel will star alongside Zanjoe Marudo, with Dan Villegas as director and Vanessa Valdez as creative manager. The film is based on a short story by none other than National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, to be adapted as a screenplay by Carmi Raymundo.

“It’s a buddy comedy, so light s’ya. Si Daniel ‘yung magiging kamatayan,” Vanessa hinted. “Talagang intention dito is to be a lighthearted comedy pero malalim siya, may idi-discuss siya na mysteries about life, love, friendship, saka death. Bakit ba kailangang magtapos ang mga bagay? Bakit kailangang may mamatay, ‘di ba?”

Daniel being a highly influential leading man, Vanessa believes that he is the best person to portray a role that can help the younger generation appreciate life even better.

“I think it’s going to be discussed in a way na young people of his generation will understand and have a deeper appreciation of life and cycle of life. [So] why not put him in a role where he discusses important life truths?” she explained.

While the movie is a lighthearted comedy, Daniel pointed out that it depicts how amusing life can be, as the film will be undoubtedly funny without having to be in the slapstick genre.

“Andoon ‘yung comedy, ‘di ba? Pero hindi siya slapstick na nagpapatawa. Kumbaga, life is amusing. Nakakatawa ang buhay eh, ‘di ba. The beauty of life and beauty of death, balanse ‘yun eh. Dito natin makikita ‘yun,” Daniel teased.

Daniel also has nothing but awe about the fact that he is starring in a film based on a short story written by National Artist Ricky Lee. He shared: “Hindi ko pa alam [na kay sir Ricky siya], gusto ko lang ‘yung title. Tapos n’ung sinabi ni Ate Carms [na] sinulat ni sir Ricky [‘yung short story], [sabi ko] ito na ‘yun.”

While it’s an honor for Daniel to give life to a Ricky Lee story, sir Ricky himself expressed that he has been actually looking forward to working with Daniel, even from years back.

“Naalala ko, years ago, tinanong ako ng isang reporter sa TV, ‘Sinong young star ang gusto kong makatrabaho?’ Isa lang binanggit ko, eh. Sabi ko si Daniel Padilla,” sir Ricky recalled.

“Bukod sa gusto kong makatrabaho si Daniel, dahil napanood ko siya, meron siyang lalim and range na pwede pang lumabas nang lumabas nang lumabas and parang magandang paglaruan ‘yun at mapanood,” the esteemed writer said of Daniel.

Shooting will start very soon, according to ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen, while the movie will be released in cinemas this year.

As for Daniel’s second movie project, he is teaming up with none other than the “Heneral” himself, John Arcilla, in “The Guest”, under the direction of Jerrold Tarog. Patrick Valencia penned the screenplay while Kookai Labayen will serve as the film’s creative manager.

“Pinag-usapan namin nina Carmi, sino ba ang direktor [na] bagay sa ganitong feel ng pelikula? Maraming mahuhusay na direktor pero may direktor na nasa puso nila ‘yung kadiliman,” Daniel pointed out, referring to Direk Jerrold.

The filmmaker gave a peek into what the film is about, as he shared, “It’s more of a psychological suspense thriller. Kind of imagining it as a modern film noir. Marami siyang twists and turns and bilang nasa puso ko ‘yung kadiliman, medyo mindfuck na pelikula siya.”

Given the plot, Direk Jerrold can’t wait to see how Daniel will pull it off, especially since it’s the first time they will be working together on a project.

“Very excited to work with Daniel, finally. If anything, ang gusto kong makita, hanggang saan natin pwedeng dalhin ‘yung kwento,” he said.

Kookai also revealed that it has always been a dream of theirs in Black Sheep to work with the acclaimed filmmaker, Direk Jerrold. She pointed out that the production outfit is hitting two birds with one stone, to have two powerful personalities in the person of Daniel and Direk Jerrold in this upcoming project.

“Noong dumating sa ‘min yung project, noong pinitch ni Patrick ‘yung concept, naghahanap talaga kami ng someone who can make us experience talaga ‘yung kwento. At matagal na namin gusto makatrabaho si Direk Jerrold sa Black Sheep, so finally,” she shared. As for having Daniel, she said, “The project requires someone na charming yet iba ‘yung atake as the lead character.”

More importantly, the film will also star the Philippines’ very own internationally acclaimed Kapamilya, Venice Film Festival’s Volpi Cup for Best Actor winner John Arcilla, and it is something that excites Daniel even more to start working on the film.

“Very excited ako gawin ‘tong film na ‘to kasi napakahusay na aktor [ni sir John]. Kapag ganyan ang katrabaho mo, it just pushes you to do better pa also. So I’m just excited to do this film,” Daniel gushed.

Cameras will start rolling for “The Guest” this year, said Kookai, while the target release date will be next year.

What a way to return to the big screen, Daniel! And we’re all just excited as well to be heading back to the cinemas to watch all these films! Make sure you follow Star Cinema and Black Sheep’s official social media pages to stay in the loop on our new movie alert announcements!