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The King is BACK, and He’s Bringing the Legends! 🎬

We all know Coco Martin is already cinema royalty. After dominating TV for years, he’s making a massive, strategic return to the big screen, and he’s not messing around. At the press conference held at Marco Polo Ortigas, the energy was electric. This wasn’t just another project announcement; it was a declaration of a new era for Filipino action-thriller films!

Coco Martin, via his production outfit, just sealed the deal on an unprecedented two-film partnership, and the names attached are absolutely legendary: directors Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde!

The Dream Team: Matti & Monteverde Tandem

If those names don’t immediately make your cinephile heart race, let me break it down.

• Erik Matti is the genius behind gritty, award-winning masterpieces like On the Job and BuyBust. He is known for dark, realistic action and intense narratives that challenge the audience.
• Dondon Monteverde is a highly respected figure in the industry, renowned for his contributions to both action and compelling drama.

Coco Martin’s goal? To unite these powerhouse directors and leverage their distinct styles to create two films that are genre-defining. He wants to bring back the visceral thrill of Pinoy action cinema, but with a modern, high-quality twist.

During the presscon, Coco Martin shared his profound respect for these collaborators. He emphasized that working with Matti is a dream come true, acknowledging the director’s reputation for uncompromising quality.

“Matagal ko na po siyang pangarap makatrabaho, alam naman po natin na si Direk Erik Matti, grabe po ‘yung kalidad ng mga ginagawa niya. Gusto ko po talagang matuto sa kanya.”

This isn’t just a business move; it’s an artist’s passion project driven by the desire to grow and elevate local filmmaking!

What to Expect: Action, Thriller, and Depth! 🤯

The two projects are expected to be gritty, hard-hitting action-thriller films. Given Matti’s filmography, we can anticipate a sharp look at societal issues, laced with pulse-pounding action sequences. With Coco Martin’s powerful screen presence and established action credibility, this combination is guaranteed box office gold and critical acclaim bait.

Mark your calendars for 2026 because we are finally getting the raw, unadulterated origin story of Tatang Mario Maghari! Prepare for the kind of action and depth that only the OTJ franchise can deliver. This is the backstory that explains everything.

In 2027, Prepare for a powerful, sweeping epic: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio, reimagined like never before! Yes, it’s a grand Period Film, but it’s promised to be a stunning modern-day retelling. Expect breathtaking visuals, intense action, and a story about the Father of the Revolution that resonates deeply with our struggles today.

Coco Martin also addressed the shift from his long-running television role back to movies, expressing his excitement to finally dedicate his time to big-screen ventures. He spoke about giving his all to these projects:

“Ngayon po, focus na po tayo sa pelikula. Sabi ko nga, ibibigay ko po lahat ng natutunan ko sa loob ng mahabang panahon para makagawa po tayo ng maganda at maipagmamalaking pelikula.”

This isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about national pride in our cinema!

This partnership is HUGE. It signals a major investment in quality action storytelling, uniting a star with massive commercial appeal (Coco) and directors with incredible artistic vision (Matti and Monteverde). It’s exactly the kind of move that can revitalize a genre and capture international attention.

I’m calling it now: these films are going to be landmark pieces in Philippine cinema. Get ready, folks, because the action is about to get real.