Director Erik Matti is grateful that Hanna Ledesma did well as the replacement for actress Lovi Poe in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2. Had it not been the case, Erik revealed during the recently-concluded press conference of Kubot, he would have stayed mad with Lovi.

Almost three months ago, Erik took to his Facebook account to vent his disappointment in Lovi for reneging on their contract and not reprising her role in The Aswang Chronicles sequel.

Lovi, for her part, in a recent guesting on The Buzz claimed that she has moved on from the incident. Lovi, who played the role of the love interest of Macoy, played by Dingdong Dantes, was replaced by the former Binibining Pilipinas candidate.

“Siyempre lahat naman tayo sa industriya natin, lahat naman tayo gusto nating mapaganda ang pelikula natin. So, as much as we could, we want to get everyone that we want to be part of it. But right now, with Hanna there with us, she's doing a really good job as Sonia,” director Erik said.

He added, “You’re going to see her in the opening, a really long opening of the movie. From the time they leave the house in Pulupandan up to the time they ride on a bus, and they’re about to make it to Manila, you’re going to see her get ready for marriage with Macoy.”

If anything, Erik stressed that Hanna did justice to the character in the second movie of the franchise.

“So, 'ayan na... tapos na yung movie. Dati nagpa-panic kami na hindi kami matatapos. Ngayon tapos na yung movie, everyone’s happy,” he said.

Does this mean that issue between Lovi and himself is over? “Tapos na ‘yun. Christmas na eh. Kailangan kumita na ang pelikula,” he said. “Ako, nasabi ko na lahat ng nasabi ko sa post na iyon. So, after that, with Hanna with us, okay na. Kung wala akong nahanap na Hanna, malamang siguro hindi pa ako okay.”

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 produced by Reality Entertainment, GMA Films, at AgostoDos Productions will hit the theaters on December 25 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.