Iza Calzado beats a Canadian star for Hollywood role in ‘The Echo’

Iza Calzado earned the nod of a Hollywood casting director now working for the pre–production of "The Echo," the US version of the Richard Gutierrez–Angel Locsin horror starrer. Iza raced against a Canadian star for this career feat, she revealed recently at the victory party of her current movie "Ouija," which incidentally is another suspense–horror.

"I really do not know if I’m allowed to reveal the details but all I know is that there is this other girl from Canada who is being considered. Though she’s not yet an actress, I believe she’s famous there," the GMA7 stunner told the media.

"The Echo" will still be helmed by "Sigaw" director Yam Laranas, who was the one

who asked the Hollywood casting agents if they think Iza stood a chance to reprise her role as the battered wife of a police officer (played by Jomari Yllana) in "Sigaw."

Iza recalled that the casting director asked for a video audition material so Iza complied with one that featured her doing scripts from "The Echo."

Although the former "Encantadia" actress said her talent fee for her first Hollywood film amounts to a "minimum rate," it is the least of all her concerns. "Huwag ninyong isipin na sobrang laki kasi, kumbaga, for that production, I’m getting minimum rate. But, you know, so far compared to the other films that I’ve done here, it’s bigger than what I’ve gotten here. So I think minus the taxes and all that, it’s gonna amount to pretty much the same."

IZA OPPOSITE JESSE BRADFORD

In "Sigaw," Richard Gutierrez bought an old condo building which he and girlfriend Angel Locsin would later discover to be hunted by the spirits of a strange family.

"The Echo’s" plot meanwhile is altered, according to web feeds of the film’s pre–production. The Hollywood version changes Richard’s character to an ex–convict to be played by "Flags of Our Fathers’" Jesse Bradford.

To those who have seen "Sigaw" (and if "The Echo" follows the same line of script), Iza will definitely be trading dialogues with the 28–year old Hollywood hotshot whose life was made miserable by a psychotic Erika Christensen in "Swimfan" and was again in the lead cast of "Clockstoppers" (both movies released in 1992).

Bradford also played Robert de Niro’s son in the 1984 romantic film "Falling In Love" (also starring Meryl Streep) and was also part of the cast of the 1996 hit "Romeo + Juliet" with Leonard diCaprio and Claire Danes. His other film credits include "King of the Hill" and "Bring It On."

"I’m trying to prepare myself kasi, you know, I can get intimidated. Siyempre, they work differently there. Even ang pagkatao ng mga Americans, may mga Europeans, di ba, they’re very strong compared to Asians na very timid," Iza said, excited and rearing to start shooting the movie. She is scheduled to leave for a three–week shooting on Aug. 20.

Meanwhile, Angel’s character will be played by "Eon Flux" actress Amelia Warner.
KAYE VILLAGOMEZ
Manila Bulletin