(From left) Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda announce their upcoming film 'The Greatest Showdown' at a mall in Quezon City, July 5, 2026. Photo from Star Cinema on X
Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto admitted Monday feeling the pressure of living up to audiences’ expectations as the two comedy superstars join forces for their highly anticipated movie "The Greatest Showdown."
The pair shared their excitement over the overwhelming response from fans since their collaboration was first announced.
“Grabe yung reaction ng mga tao,” Vice said.
Sotto echoed the sentiment, saying the public’s reaction made them even more excited about the project.
“Yes, nag-react din kami nang grabe eh, kasi grabe yung reaction nila. Pero nakaka-excite lalo kasi nga nung in-announce pa lang, parang nararamdaman mo pa lang, nag-decide na agad yung mga tao [na] manonood,” Sotto said.
For Vice, bringing together two established comedy brands also comes with greater expectations from moviegoers.
“Hindi ako masyadong nape-pressure sa mga dati kong pelikula. Na-pressure din naman, pero iba yung pressure na ’yun kasi siyempre kung may kasama kang boss… Pag pinagsama yung brand namin, yung mga tao mas mag-e-expect,” Vice explained.
“May expectation sila pag Vice Ganda movie, may expectation sila pag Vic Sotto movie. So pag pinagsama mo ’yun, parang hindi namin sila pwedeng ma-fail. Parang, hindi naman nagsama pa kayo tapos gano’n lang. Hindi naman pwedeng gano’n lang,” Vice added.
The “It’s Showtime” host also acknowledged how vocal audiences have become when it comes to their expectations of films and entertainers.
“Yung mga tao ngayon, matatabil din ang dila. Masyado na ring maririnig yung mga tao. Nakakatakot din talaga mag-disappoint ng mga tao kasi sasabihin nila sa’yo pag disappointed,” Vice said.
Sotto, meanwhile, said comedy can provide audiences a much-needed opportunity to unwind.
“Kaya kailangan naman natin mag-relax, tumawa, mag-smile, maging happy,” he said.
Vice revealed that the project will also mark a return to the kind of comedy audiences have long associated with the box-office star.
“Mas lalo nakaka-excite kasi ako, babalik ako sa all-out comedy this year. Kasi for the past two years, nag-drama comedy. Ngayon naman, all-out comedy, hardcore comedy,” Vice said.
READ: Vice Ganda, Vic Sotto form powerhouse duo for 'The Greatest Showdown'
The two have already started filming, with Vice sharing that they had completed two shooting days despite encountering bad weather.
“Naka-dalawa na actually. Ang sobrang saya nung second day. We felt so blessed. Binagyo kami,” Vice joked, adding that filming continued despite the conditions.
Beyond the movie itself, Vice said one of the things he looks forward to most is spending time with Sotto and getting to know the veteran comedian beyond what he has seen on screen.
“Ako, nilu-look forward ko lang every shooting day is to get to enjoy his company, get to know him more and better. Kasi ang laking opportunity sa akin nito,” Vice said.
“Matagal ko na siyang napapanood, matagal ko na siyang idol. Idol natin siya lahat. Pero this is the very first time na I get to enjoy working with him,” he added.
Vice said even the simple moments they share between takes have become meaningful to him.
“Napupunta ako sa tent, kasabay ko siya sa sasakyan. Ang sarap ng feeling. Gusto kong damahin ’yun, i-embrace lang ’yun every day,” he said.
Sotto, for his part, believes the contrast between their respective comedy styles could ultimately become one of the film’s biggest strengths.
“Ang maganda rito kasi, we have different schools of thought, lalo na pagdating sa pelikula, pag-istorya. Ibang level yung kay Vice, at yung sa akin naman, iba rin,” Sotto said.
According to the veteran comedian, audiences can look forward to seeing how their two distinct approaches to humor come together on screen.
“Ang magandang panoorin dito, kung paano magsasalubong yung dalawa. Paano mag-jive. Kakaiba,” Sotto said.
“Nandun yung magic eh. Yung humor niya at yung humor ko na totally different. Pag pinagsama mo, pasasabugin talaga natin,” he added.
The project marks the much-awaited big-screen team-up of two of the country’s biggest comedy stars, with both Vice and Sotto banking on their contrasting styles to deliver a fresh brand of humor for audiences.