Written by: Jerome P. Villanueva of Voltes V The Documentary
Published on: February 8, 2021 at 9:15 PM PHT (GMT+8)
Philippine broadcast giant GMA Network has finally revealed on Monday through a special report by the network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras the Filipino actors who bagged the roles of three Voltes team members namely Mark Gordon, Big Bert Armstrong and Little Jon Armstrong. The revealed cast of the “Voltes V: Legacy” live action series are Radson Flores as "Mark", Matt Lozano as "Big Bert" and Raphael Landicho as "Little Jon". The network is yet to reveal the other cast members.
GMA acquired the rights to air a live action remake of the iconic 1977 anime series “Voltes V,” which was owned by Japan-based Toei Company, Ltd. The rights acquisition was facilitated by Toei’s Philippine licensor Telesuccess Productions, Inc.
In the 24 Oras report, Flores, who will play the Volt Bomber pilot, said he felt the pressure, nervousness and excitement.
"Nung nasa casting na po ako, pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko sa pintuan, sabi ni Direk Mark, 'No, no, no si Mark ka,' sabi ko, 'Oh no iyong pinag-practice ko si Zardos,' so nag-practice ulit ako ng bagong script at memorize ulit ako. (When I was in the casting, the time I entered the door, Director Mark said, No, no, no, you'll play as Mark. Then I replied, Oh no I practiced for Zardos, so I practiced and memorized again a new script. ” Flores said. “Sobrang grateful ako na ako gaganap na Mark. (I am so grateful to play the role of Mark.)"
He said he is preparing for the role through his physical routines and trainings namely power lifting, fight training and horse riding. Flores is a 21-year-old product of GMA’s talent search Starstruck Season 7 and a Legal Management graduate of the University of Santo Tomas.
In the anime series, Volt Bomber pilot Mark Gordon (Ippei Mine [峰一平] in Japan) was drafted to become part of the Voltes team after he became the World Rodeo Champion for three years in a row. His popular weapon is whip and he has a horse named Alpha.
Meanwhile, Lozano, who will play the Volt panzer pilot, said he has similar traits with Big Bert.
"Si Big Bert sobrang masayahing tao pero at the back of his mind, nandoon ang lungkot dahil alam naman ng Voltes V fans na ang Armstrong brothers ay malungkot dahil sa pagkawala ng daddy nila, (Big Bert is known to be a joyful character but at the back of his mind, there's the sadness as the Voltes V fans already knew that the Armstrong Brothers are longing for their father.)” Lozano said. “Pareho kami na kahit na nalulungkot gumagawa ng way para mapasaya hindi lang ako kung 'di nakapaligid sa akin. (We're on the same boat that even if we're feeling down, we find ways just to cheer up not just myself but also the people around me.)"
Lozano said he hired a grand master of arnis to teach him how to use the long stick, Big Bert’s favorite weapon. Lozano acknowdedges Big Bert as a martial artist and a military man. Lozano is the grand winner of Philippine noontime show Eat Bulaga’s segment “Spogify ft. Singing Baes.” He was also seen in the Feb. 24, 2020 audition of Big Bert and he is now an actor under GMA Artist Center.
In the mecha series, Big Bert Armstrong (Daijiro Go [剛大次] in Japan) is the second son of Dr. Ned Armstrong and Dr. Mary Anne Collins-Armstrong, both part of the Earth International Defense Force.
According to the Toei-licensed “Voltes V: Declassified” book, “his mother sent him to the country to live with an old monk to help him cope with his problems. During his stay with the monk, Big Bert became his pupil and was trained in martial arts with the bo staff as his weapon of choice.”
Meanwhile, Landicho, who will play the robotics genius and Volt Frigate pilot, said until now he cannot believe he is part of the historic “Voltes V: Legacy” cast.
"Ngayon po hindi po ako makapaniwala nakuha po ako na isa po ako sa mga cast ng ‘Voltes V.’ Excited na po ako makita 'yung Camp Big Falcon at ships na malalaki gustong gusto ko po makita, (Up until now, I can't hardly believe that I got the role of one of the cast of Voltes V. I'm very excited to see the Camp Big Falcon and enormous ships that I eager to see the most.)" Landicho said.
The youngest Voltes V cast said he is currently studying how he can show the geniusness of the Little Jon role.
Landicho also revealed he underwent martial arts training since last year before the pandemic.
Landicho is a 9-year-old child star of GMA. He was part of the following series: Bihag (2019), Tadhana (2017) and Love of My Life (2020).
Little Jon Armstrong (Hiyoshi Go [剛日吉] in Japan) is the youngest of the Armstrong brothers. He is technically proficient as inherited with his father’s genius.
According to the “Voltes V: Declassified” book, “During his free time, Little Jon enjoys building and racing model ships and scuba diving. He is also the creator of the Voltes Team’s honorary member, Octo-1.” Octo-1 is an octopus-like robot invention by Little Jon.
GMA is yet to reveal the other cast of the much-anticipated and first-ever live action remake titled “Voltes V: Legacy.”
Earlier today, “Voltes V: Legacy” director Mark Reyes posted a pre-pandemic throwback photo showing the hands of the Voltes team members.
Based on the exclusive interview of “Voltes V: Legacy” creative director Aloy Adlawan with PEP.PH last Sept 17, 2020, the chosen cast were doing script readings in the past months.
In 2020, several artists auditioned for the various role for the program.
“Voltes V Legacy” is a live action series produced by GMA Entertainment and licensed by Toei and Telesuccess .
The show’s CGI is handled by the post production house Riot Inc. and GMA’s video graphics arm, GMA Post. The network assured that all of the scripts, characters and creation of the Boazanian language have undergone review and approval by Toei prior final production.
“Voltes V: Legacy” is a live action remake to the classic 1977 anime mecha series titled “Chōdenji Machine Voltes V” (超電磁マシーン ボルテスV).
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