BEING a cast lead is nothing new for young actress Anna Jobling.
However, she admits that sharing the screen alongside award-winning actress Maya Karin, and playing the role of her character's daughter, was a very unnerving experience.
"It's a huge role for me.
"The fact that this production will be the sequel to a popular and beloved movie, which was a blockbuster 16 years ago, adds quite a bit of pressure on me," she says with a hint of anxiety in her voice.
The new project, titled 'Duyung: Legenda Aurora', began filming on Sept 13 and carries on from the 2008 environmental fantasy rom-com movie that starred Maya and Saiful Apek.
In it, the comely 24-year-old artiste plays Aurora who is the daughter of Maya's original mermaid character, Puteri.
Like many little girls who grew up with enchanting fairytale stories, Anna says she used to imagine she was one, not unlike Disney's Ariel and other little half-human and half-fish princesses who lived in fantasy sea kingdoms.
"As a little girl, it was one of my favourite fairytale princesses.
"So playing this role is like 'living the dream'," says Anna with a smile.
The chirpy actress anticipates that playing a character that will require her to be in and underwater, will not be much of a problem for her.
"When I was in school, I used to represent Selangor at national swimming meets.
"So I don't think swimming and diving scenes would be too troublesome," she says.
Anna is also not worried about having to shoot dressed in a mermaid costume as she believes the production and costume designer would already have done proper research before producing the sea maiden ensemble.
As mermaid images depicted in Western cultures usually feature sexy silhouettes of the female form, Anna says the tight costume she will be donning for the role shouldn't be an issue.
"One can wear loose clothes and still be deemed as sexy. There's nothing I can do to prevent some people from forming their perception of what is sexy or what isn't."
Right time for sequel
Like its predecessor, 'Duyung: Legenda Aurora' is also directed by Prof Datuk Dr A. Razak Mohaideen.
Produced by KRU Studios Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with 8 Bit Studio Sdn Bhd and Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd, the film's executive producer Datuk Norman Abdul Halim says Anna was the perfect choice to play Aurora due to her capabilities, which include swimming skills.
"For the role, that is one of the main criteria, since the actress not only needs to be in the water, but also has to be able to do so while dressed in a fitting mermaid suit.
"That is certainly not an easy task, especially for someone who is not comfortable being in the water," he says.
Norman adds that after a long break for the production house from making films, it was high time to get back in action, especially when many fans had been asking for a sequel to the 'Duyung' movie.
"Seeing that the KRU brand has always been synonymous with movies with a family theme, this is a great opportunity for us to continue with that.
"Apart from that, this film will also carry the message of the importance of conserving nature, much like in the first film."
New adventure
Meanwhile, Razak also agrees that the time has come for a sequel to the first movie.
"Apart from Aurora, there will also be another half-human, half-fish character in this new film.
"To add colour to the story, we're going to introduce a merman," he reveals.
Razak says filming will take place at 22 venues across the Langkawi and Payar islands, as well as around the Klang Valley, including Putrajaya.
Filming for the 110-minute feature is expected to wrap up in a month and is scheduled to screen in cinemas sometime next year.
Others in the cast include those from the original movie such as Saiful Apek and Yasmin Hani, as well as new additions Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim, Nadia Brian, Kumpulan Zero, Aniq Aqil, Aidilia Hilda, A Shukoor Mohaideen, and Yassin of Senario fame.