As his new comedy Da Possessed hits theaters on April 19, Vhong Navarro said he is very happy with the way his first movie for 2014 turned out, even though there had been several changes in his leading lady from the film's original casting. The role ended up going to Solenn Heussaff which set tongues wagging that Vhong had been uncomfortable at the thought of working with Ellen Adarna, who had admitted to being good friends with Cedric Lee. Vhong filed an Illegal Detention case against Cedric in relation to his January 22 mauling incident.

“Si Angel (Locsin) ang una tapos naging si Ellen Adarna, kasi parang management decision kasi nga yung mga schedules hindi nag-tu-tugma tugma. Ayoko mamersonal pagdating sa ganun kasi trabaho yun, artista si Ellen eh, bakit naman natin gagawin yung mga ganung bagay? Alam ko may mga soap ata siyang ginagawa at pelikula. Wala yun at saka wala akong desisyon pagdatin sa mga ganung bagay. Puwede tayo mag-suuggest pero ang mag-de-desisyon talaga diyan ang management,” he explained.

The 37-year-old comedian-host said it is not true he pulled strings with the higher ups to have Ellen replaced even though she had already been informed about the role. Vhong said he is open to the possibility of working with Ellen on a future project. “Oo naman, willing ako makatrabaho. Ako naman kasi, every time nagkikita kami ni Solenn, gusto ko sabihin sa kanya na gusto ko siya makatrabaho. Nalaman kasi namin na exclusive pala siya sa Regal pero nakakatuwa na si Mother Lily (Monteverde) na pinahiram siya sa amin right now. Ang totoo niyan ay gusto ko talaga makasama sa pelikula si Solenn. Nagkita kami sa airport sinabi ko na sa kanya yun. Nagkataon na ang management ang nag-decision na hindi makakasama si Ellen kasi meron din siyang mga projects na gagawin. Management decision po yun,” he said.

In Da Possessed, Vhong shows a dorky, new, look that will remind the public of his Hollywood acting idol. “Si Jim Carrey talaga yung iniidolo ko mula Super Laff-in po, nung 1995 ay si Jim Carrey talaga yung peg ko sa pagpapatawa para mas makilala ko at sinasabi nga nila na ako daw ang Jim Carrey ng Pilipinas kaya tinawag ako na Chicken Curry (laughs). Yung look ko sa pelikula si direk may gusto niyan eh. Gusto niya maiba uli yung itsura ko. Mas gusto ko din na iniiba yung itsura ko, kumbaga hindi naman sabihin na pa-guwapo yung gusto iachieve at saka mas nagmamarka sa tao yung ganyan. Malay niyo after ng movie yan na yung itsurang uso (laughs),” he joked.

Ever he returned to It’s Showtime last March, Vhong has been open about his fears to the media. The comedian and his family still in fear for their lives after the mauling incident that happened last January. “Hindi naman natin masasabi o aalisin na matakot kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan ito matatapos o kahit matapos, kung matatapos po doon,” he admitted.

There is also pressure on him for his movie to do well because he wants all the hard work of the cast and crew to pay off. “Ayokong sabihin na makakalusot, mas gusto ko sabihin na yung project na Da Possessed ay pinaghirapan namin lahat dahil ayaw naming masayang nag pera ng mga taong manunuod,” he said.