The Final Heist

With Lupin’s upcoming finale, Richard Gutierrez takes a look back and imparts a few thoughts on being a cunning thief, and on what he’ll do when the heists end. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Connie M. Tungul and courtesy of GMA Network. Stint as a thief “Portraying the character Lupin, and trying to portray another character as Lupin” is the toughest challenge for Richard Gutierrez in the show. He says that although his disguises are tricky, the fun lies in making each personality unique and believable. “Iba 'yung feeling for all; I enjoyed portraying all the different characters, kasi nalalaro ko as an actor; how I will differentiate one character from another. (There are) no favorites, (actually).” Richard says that working with direk Mike Tuviera and Janno Gibbs helped him to deliver punch lines. “I think the comic side of me, and the light side of me, dito ko na-discover sa Lupin. Working with kuya Janno and direk Mike helped me out with how to deliver comedy. I discovered that here in Lupin, and siguro I’ll be able to use that.” His most memorable scene was the emotional sequence he had with Ehra Madrigal, who plays Brigitte in the series. “Nag-break down (si Brigitte) sa akin at inamin niya na gusto niya ako, then may kissing scene pa after that, which was her first kissing scene. It was memorable, not only because the scene was heartfelt, but also (because of what happened) behind the (camera) -- Ehra was really tense, kasi first time nga niya, and first major break down scene din niya. Siguro that would be stuck with me for a long time – 'yung scene na ‘yun.” What Richard treasures in the show are the friendships they formed within the short span of time they’ve been together. “I got to work with different people here, and of course, in the show naman, 'yung lightness ng show, 'yung comedy, because this is the show na for me, light and easy going lang; relaxed. Mami-miss ko 'yung ganoong atmosphere.” When the stealing ends As expected, Richard already has projects lined up for him right after Lupin. His next primetime series is Kamandag, a comic-based concept penned by Carlo J. Caparras (Bakekang). “More or less, Kamandag is an action-adventure, semi-fantasy. It’s an old story of Carlo J. Caparras. It’s actually a comic book. (It was) released back in the 80s yata. The character is possessed with a great power, and the power comes from a snake. So now, I’m actually researching on different types of snakes – 'yung behavior nila, when they get agitated, because the power only comes out when I’m agitated and when I’m cornered.” As in most of his projects, Richard is very hands-on when it comes to internalizing his character. He doesn’t wait for people to present everything to him; instead, he enjoys doing his homework! Case in point: “(There will be) rigid training. I’m actually planning on working with the military, to train me in combat. I was the one who researched for them, and I was the one who approached them if they can train me. It’s more on tactical combat; also different fighting techniques, para maiba (naman).” If Sugo (2005) was more on Kung Fu, and Lupin specialized in high tech gadgets, Kamandag will focus more on the “wild side!” “Dito, more on tactical, more fast-paced siguro -- the easiest way. Kasi (with) the snake – one bite lang, you’re dead!” Richard revealed that Kamandag will be directed by Mark Reyes, and is tentatively set to air by the end of October or early November. Another go with horror Aside from Kamandag, Richard will be shooting his second horror flick with another GMA leading man, Dingdong Dantes. Titled Dagao, this is the second horror movie of GMA Films, and the first team-up of the two A-list actors. Richard gives us a peek into the plot: “It’s about “a mythical story in the province of Samar – (the) ‘dopellganger.’ May kumokopya ng identity mo. Someone appears as you, but it’s not really you. Parang ganoon.” “I’m super excited to do horror again!” shares Richard. “Kasi nga, na-miss ko 'yung horror after Sigaw (2004). And it’s always exciting to scare people!” “(We) haven’t started taping. I’ve worked with (Dingdong) in SOP and in Mulawin (2005), very briefly, but I also worked with him as a director in Kakaba-kaba. So how is Dong as a director? “He’s not really strict (in general). But he’s very strict siguro in his vision as a director. He’s very disciplined and fast paced -- that’s what I like.” If one will notice, Richard’s portrayals are all very different from each other, something that he looks for as an actor. “(I want) something that will challenge me. Growth -- that’s what I look for in the script,” he says. Keep tuned to Lupin every weeknight so you wouldn’t miss its explosive finale! Text RICHARD to 4627 to Feel the Fun with Fanatxt! (PhP2.50 for Globe, Smart, and Talk ‘n Text; PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers) Visit the Lupin thread in the iGMA Forums and be heard! More features: Richard’s Gutierrez: Take 2 Growing up with Richard Another look at Lupin