MANILA, Philippines – In almost all of his films, Wenn Deramas casts staples like DJ Durano, Eugene Domingo and John Lapus.

This has caused critics to accuse the director of accepting projects only if the said actors are also part of a so-called package deal.

During the presscon for his latest film, “Who’s That Girl?” the director said, “No, it’s not a package deal. It’s just that parang comfort zone ang mga ito. They please me with their performances. They always come up with more than what I expect from them. Pinatatawa nila ako.”

Deramas said the same actors will be part of his next project, Private Benjamin, which stars John Lapus in the title role.

Lapus turned controversial after announcing that he was suing TV host-columnist Jobert Sucaldito, Deramas’ showbiz enemy after Jobert claimed on air that Wenn’s “Petrang Kabayo” was a flop.

“Kahit si Anne Curtis kukunin ko ulit sa next projects ko,” Direk Wenn said.

The awarded director was pleased with Anne Curtis’ performance in “Who’s That Girl?” which also stars Anne’s ex, Luis Manzano.

“Who’s That Girl?” opens on March 2 in local theaters. It is co-presented by SM Development Corporation and sponsored by Greenwich, Magnolia Lifedrink, GSM Blue and Megawide.

In the movie, Anne plays Bea, a wallflower, while Luis Manzano is John Eduque, a campus heartthrob who is Bea’s ultimate crush.

Others in the cast are Dina Bonnevie, Dennis Padilla, Dino Imperial, Abby Bautista, Nadine Lustre, Bobby Yan, Joy Viado, Ricky Rivero, Mac-Mac, Candy Pangilinan.