MANILA – Marian Rivera thinks Liza Soberano is the "perfect" actress to play Darna in its upcoming film adaptation.

In an interview with Kiko Escuadro of Push and other reporters, Rivera said: "Okay naman. Maganda siya. Perfect para sa kanya!"

When asked to give a message to Soberano, Rivera replied: "Nakakahiya namang mag-message bilang hindi naman kami magkakilalang dalawa. Nakakahiya naman. Good luck!"

"For sure naman, kahit sinong magsuot din niyan, siguradong susuportahan. Especially kung siya na parang majority naman yata, siya ang gusto. At ang ganda at ang sexy. Kaya niya iyan," she added.

Rivera was the last actress to portray Darna on screen. She was 24 when she first donned the famous fire red costume in 2009, and the choice of Soberano seems to suggest that the newest version will now be a tad younger.

Since Darna made her komiks debut in 1950, the well-loved character has been played by several actresses in television and film, including a young Vilma Santos in the 1970s.

In the original lore, Darna is a warrior from Planet Marte who manifests herself in a village girl from Earth named Narda.

In order to transform into the heroine and defend humans from evil forces, Narda swallows a tiny meteorite and shouts "Darna!" -- a small scene which has since been embedded in local pop culture.

The upcoming Star Cinema "Darna" movie was first announced in 2015. Speaking at the time, director Erik Matti said he accepted the project so that he could introduce the character to a whole new generation of Filipinos.