Julia Barretto on working with Joshua Garcia again: ‘familiar and new place at the same time’

Former on and off-screen couple Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto are working together again on a new romance-drama film, Un/Happy For You, this year.

In a New Movie Alert event with MJ Felipe, the former pair admitted that they felt a bit nervous about finally doing another project together.

“Kinakabahan na ako,” actor Joshua Garcia revealed.

Julia Barretto on working with Joshua Garcia again: ‘familiar and new place at the same time’

“Kanina kasi may ginawa kaming scene, kinakapa namin ulit yung isa’t isa kahit na ang tagal namin magkatrabaho before. I think baby steps and dadating kami doon pagdating ng shoot. Tingnan natin,” he added.

Julia Barretto also admitted how reuniting with Joshua was familiar but new for her.

“Parang siyang familiar and new place at the same time. Parang this feels familiar pero parang bagong rin because parang we’re getting to know each other (again),” she stated.

Joshua also revealed that they both observed how things changed for them, especially in their skills as actors.

“Nakita ko rin kanina noong nagscene kami parang iba na rin yung atake niya ngayon kaysa sa atake niya before,” Joshua said, noting how Julia looked at him differently.

When asked what they think about their JoshLia fans who have waited for their reunion project, the two stars happily expressed their excitement.

“Personally, I’m jumping for joy, and I’m also very excited,” Julia said.

Julia then patted Joshua and praised them for working together again.

“I’m proud of us. Sobra,” she said, and did a high-five with the actor.

Julia Barretto on working with Joshua Garcia again

The creative team and director revealed that the storyline of the film about exes is somewhat similar to what some people experience.

“For the casting of Joshua and Julia, they lent an authenticity to the story that we hope will be very authentic,” writer Jen Chuaunsu said.

“Parang the previous films and projects that they did before mostly boy meets girl, romcom, cat-dog. So, ngayon talaga first time natin makikita, ‘di ba they grow separately after nilang, they stop working together,” writer Kookai Labayen added.

“Ang dami na nilang nagawa separately so kami talaga this time, why not make them more mature in a role and why not an exes story,” she remarked.

Julia Barretto on working with Joshua Garcia again

Director Petersen Vargas also stated, “As their viewer over the years, I feel like this film that we are gonna release this year is the film I want to see, both of them, to be making this year. Kumbaga as an audience, ito yung gusto kong panoorin (sa kanila) as JoshLia.”

Joshua and Julia first worked together in 2016 on a text-serye adapted film, Vince and Kath and James. The two then starred in several projects, including the teleserye Ngayon at Kailanman and movies Love You To The Stars and Back, Unexpectedly Yours, I Love You, Hater, and their last project together, Block Z.

The two were also an off-screen couple. However, in 2019, the two confirmed that they broke up and  the actress stated that they remained as best friends. They then worked together on Moira dela Torre’s “Paubaya” MV.

Julia Barretto on working with Joshua Garcia again

In 2021, Julia and her Between Maybes co-star, actor Gerald Anderson, confirmed their relationship. She then starred in the projects Expensive Candy, Bahay Na Pula, I AM U, Di Na Mulim and Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko.

Meanwhile, Joshua was previously linked to social media personality Bella Racelis in 2022. However, the actor clarified that he is single. In August 2023, the actor was then rumored to be in a relationship with Filipina-French golfer Emilienne Vigier.

Joshua also worked on several projects, such as Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan, The Killer Bride, Viral Scandal, Mars Ravelo’s Darna, and Unbreak My Heart.