MANILA – Director Joyce Bernal defended Xian Lim amid reports questioning his participation in the upcoming movie “Everything About Her.”

Some observers feel Lim is still relatively young and has a lot more to prove compared to his co-stars, acclaimed actresses Vilma Santos and Angel Locsin.

In an article published on entertainment site Push, Bernal was quoted as saying Lim always comes to work prepared.

“Nagtrabaho talaga si Xian. Hindi siya tamad. Nag-homework siya. Actually ngayon lang ako [naka-experience] 'yung in-email niya kung paano niya ita-tackle 'yung mga eksena niya. Ang problema ko lang, hindi ako marunong magbukas ng e-mail. So, nag-usap na lang ulit kami,” she shared.

A photo posted by STAR Cinema (@starcinema) on Jan 8, 2016 at 12:24am PST

While his past projects have mostly been romantic-comedies, Bernal believes Lim is ready for drama.

“Sa ‘Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo’ pa lang naniniwala na ako kasi seryoso naman siya,” she said. “Kailangan lang siyang huwag mahiya at i-push pa ang sarili niya.”

"Everything About Her" tells the story of a powerful woman (Santos) suffering from cancer. She hires a private nurse (Locsin) to take care of her and to convince her son, played by Lim, to go home and live with her.

Produced by Star Cinema, “Everything About Her” will be released in theaters nationwide on January 27.

(WATCH: Trailer for Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin film released)