‘Pedro Penduko’ to kick-start cinematic universe of Pinoy mythological heroes

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Much like how Robert Downey Jr. kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe with "Iron Man," James Reid is being tasked to launch the country's own set of interlinked movies with "Pedro Penduko."

Sure, he's no genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, but it is quite fitting that Epik Studios is reintroducing forgotten mythological characters to a new generation through a teen who goes home from abroad to know more about his Filipino roots.

• READ: James Reid is the new Pedro Penduko

That's the main thrust of the re-imagined version of "Pedro Penduko," --the first in line in Epik Studios' ambitious slate of movies that will run until 2021, which was revealed this Thursday.

Here is the complete list of the upcoming movies Epik Studios has planned for its ambitious MCU-like movie universe. James Reid's #PedroPenduko is the first in line. #LetsMakeItEpik pic.twitter.com/DCv3irZsvV

— Vincent Garcia (@vincepgarcia) June 14, 2018

It is scheduled for 2019, with a reboot of the Carlo J. Caparas title "Totoy Bato" arriving in the same year. "Bernardo Carpio" is set for 2020, along with a movie about a sea siren hero "Osyana" and the Nadine Lustre-starrer "Maria Makiling." "Habagat," about a "winged creature of peace and justice," is penciled for 2021.

There are also proposed movies centering on the arch-nemesis of our heroes, and one based on the original graphic novel "Republika."

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"We call it 'Engkantos'," Epik Studios president Paul Alexei Basinillo told ABS-CBN News, referring to their planned "cinematic universe," a term invented for Marvel's interconnected stories.

The hope is for their studio to replicate the concept's success, and produce exciting films that will attract overseas attention. With this in mind, Basinillo enlisted Treb Monteras II, the director of the acclaimed rap film "Respeto," to helm "Pedro Penduko."

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Monteras has earned positive press for his brave tale about the country's underground hip-hop scene, which was nominated for Best Film at this year's prestigious Gawad Urian. He said that he has been given the freedom to instill "Pedro Penduko" with his vision --that is to say, expect it to be gritty.

"I don't want to copy iyong ginagawa nu'ng ibang bansa," he shared. "Kasi ang dami nating stories dito sa atin mismo. Sa storya pa lang, kahit na walang CG or action sobrang busog na."

"And for this film, nakikita namin siya na ganoon. Hindi siya iyong typical superhero movie na papanoorin mo lang because of the effects and the action. Itong movie na ito, may mensahe."

"Pedro Penduko" will be an Epik Studios co-production with Viva Entertainment and Cignal. A budget of P100 million has been prepared for the movie.