MANILA — “Crosspoint” is expected to be one of the most anticipated action-thriller movies of this year, thanks to its director, Donnie Ordiales, who brought together Emmy-nominated actor Takehiro Hira with Carlo Aquino.

Ahead of the film’s Philippine premiere on October 16, the production team held a virtual presscon on Tuesday, attended by Aquino, Ordiales, and producers Sho Ikushima of 034 Production and Ravien Bracero of High Road Creatives.

Talking about his experience working with Hira, Aquino told ABS-CBN News, “He’s very professional. On the set, he knows his lines and wants to throw lines with me. Everything that you didn’t expect from someone like that. He actually shared how hard it is to be an actor in Japan that’s why he had to fly and audition and get an agent overseas. ‘Yung struggle being a Japanese actor.”

For Aquino, it was a great experience getting to observe the acting style of Hira, who’s also popular in Hollywood.

“‘Yung hospital scene namin sa Manila, mahirap ‘yun. ‘Yung fight scene namin ni Sho. That was one hard scene. They had to bring me to the hospital kasi nagkaroon ng minor injury. Nag-swell nang konti (one finger). Sabi ko, ‘I’m okay.’ Sabi nila, ‘We have to take you to the hospital.’ Sabi ko, ‘Let’s just do this and finish this.’ Pero they really brought me sa hospital,” Aquino told ABS-CBN News, adding that the director wanted the fight scenes to be raw, which made the film more believable.

In the movie, the Kapamilya actor plays a struggling movie star who decides to go to Japan to earn big money. Reflecting on his role, he said, “Marami rin tayong OFWs sa Japan na talagang kumakayod para sa pamilya na hindi iniinda kung gaano kalayo at hindi rin nakikita ang pamilya nila. Ganun si Manuel. ‘Yung puso ng isang Pilipino na gagawin ang lahat para sa pamilya.”

He added, “‘Yung ego kasi ng pagiging isang sikat na artista tapos nawala sa ’yo lahat. Ganun. Nakatulong din ‘yung pagpunta niya sa Japan para i-settle niya ‘yung issue niya with his father.”

As he aims to explore more film genres, the 39-year old actor revealed that he also wants to be considerate and careful when it comes to choosing roles now that he’s married.

“Of course. Kailangan talaga pag-uusapan muna namin (wife Charlie Dizon) kasi she’s part of my life now. Pero hindi pa rin naman ako magno-no sa trabaho. I just have to set boundaries and limitations with work,” he confessed.

“Crosspoint” was shot in 2023 in Japan and other parts of Metro Manila, and will premiere on October 16. Produced by High Road Creatives and 034 Productions, it also stars Sarah Jane Abad, Ian de Leon, Zeppi Borromeo, Dindo Arroyo, Polo Ravales, and Star Magic artist Kei Kurosawa.