It's one of the hottest topics in local showbiz at the moment: Who will be the next Darna?

But any debate over whether Liza Soberano, Pia Wurtzbach, or Nadine Lustre would be a better fit for the costume should boil down to one factor, according to Sharon Cuneta.

"It's a responsibility," she said, explaining that the next Darna should be someone who can uphold the values on women empowerment that the superheroine represents. "Panindigan mo si Darna. Mahiya ka naman kay Darna."

Cuneta portrayed Darna back in 1986 for a cameo role in Edu Manzano's "Captain Barbell" — an experience she described as physically taxing.

"Lahat ng body pains naramdaman ko. Sabi ko nga, 'Pwede bang mag-drama na lang ako? Kahit limang balde iyong iiyak ko," she shared.

Asked if she had an actress in mind to succeed Angel Locsin, who was forced to back out of the role due to health concerns, Cuneta refused to play favorites. She did warn those interested in donning the costume to be prepared for the physical demands of the role.

"Someone more physically fit is more bagay to this," she said.

Cuneta went on to belie calls from fans to scrap the planned movie adaptation altogether after Locsin's departure.

While acknowledging that Locsin "perfectly" embodied Darna, she explained that the mantle of the character has always been passed down to a younger generation, and it should remain that way.

Since 1951, Darna has been played by nearly 20 different actresses for both television and the big screen.

"Darna is something na sadyang pinamamana," she said. "Angel did a wonderful job. She was so beautiful and perfect as Darna kasi magaling siyang kumilos — alam mo iyong tough at feminine? Tapos siyempre she's curvy, it goes without saying."

"But Darna is really meant to be passed on to another of the new generation. It's been like that. It's a Filipino thing na pinamamana talaga. Hangga't wala na kami dito, magkakaroon at magkakaroon pa rin ng Darna."

The "Darna" adaptation from Star Cinema was first announced back in 2015, with Erik Matti at the helm. The "Honor Thy Father" director said he accepted the project as he wants to re-introduce the Darna mythos to a new generation of Filipinos.

Locsin chose not to pursue the role for the movie after suffering spinal damage while training. "Though it did not go as planned, it was still an amazing journey," she wrote on Instagram.

"Darna embodies the heart, resilience and hope of a Filipina and it was a pleasure to have played her. I now entrust the reins to the next lucky lady who will have the time of her life portraying the role," she added.

The last actress who played Darna was Marian Rivera for a television series in 2009.