Erik Matti’s ‘On The Job 2’ now has a release date

FILE: Cast and crew of Erik Matti’s On The Job on the set (Photo: Erik Matti/Facebook)

Save the date, moviegoers! Award-winning director Erik Matti’s film, On The Job 2, will be hitting theaters next year, entertainment media Variety said.

“On The Job 2 is currently filming and is due to complete principal photography by February, with a view to releasing it in the Philippines on June 12, 2019, the country’s independence day,” it reported.

“This will be followed by a five-part series,” it added.

On The Job 2 is a sequel to the 2013 neo-noir crime movie On the Job, which revolves around two contract killers, Mario and Daniel, who are temporarily released from jail to conduct hits.

The movie was starred by Joel Torre, Gerald Anderson, Piolo Pascual, Joey Marquez, and Shaina Magdayao, among others.

Erik also told Variety that he is considering a four-hour “condensed version” that incorporates the original film and its five-part television series.

“That would be a feat,” the filmmaker said, continuing, “And I don’t know if we can do something with it theatrically or in festivals.”

Celebrities reportedly to be included in the sequel were Dennis Trillo, Ricky Davao, John Arcilla, Vandolph Quizon, Eric Fructuoso, Lotlot de Leon, William Martinez, and Dante Rivero.

It was in June 2016 when Erik’s film was announced to become a six-part series but it did not push through because in March 2018, On The Job was replanned as a movie instead.

On The Job has bagged several awards including two major awards — Best Actor for Joel and the Jury’s Choice Prize — in the 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film held in South Korea. The film has also been nominated numerous times in different award-giving bodies.

Prior to this, Erik’s film also received a standing ovation when it was shown at the Director’s Fortnight of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.