Trivia / Heneral Luna

• Darkhorse Casting: According to the producer, the cast is composed of "only actors suited for the role" instead of big-name stars which also explains why there are very few mainstream actors such as Epy Quizon, Leo Martinez, Paulo Avelino and Benjamin Alves.
• Dawson Casting: John Arcilla is 49 years old when Antonio Luna was 32 in 1898, not that it really mattered since Arcilla looks young for his age.
• Descended Creator: The film's producer, E.A. Rocha, played one of the prominent American Generals (the same one who considers Luna a Worthy Opponent).
• Fake American:
  • General Elwell Otis is played by Filipino actor and producer, Eduardo Alfredo "E.A." Rocha.
  • General Arthur MacArthur is played by Filipino-Spanish actor Miguel Faustmann.
• Lawyer-Friendly Cameo: Owing to the film's popularity, John Arcilla would later go on to appear as parodic expies of his character in various commercials, somewhat to the displeasure of the film's director.
• Real-Life Relative: Felipe Buencamino is played by actor Nonie Buencamino, a real-life relative of the former.
• Rereleased for Free: The full movie can now be legally watched for free on TBA Studios' YouTube channel, having been subject to bootleg and pirate releases prior which the cast and crew understandably did not take kindly to.
• Sleeper Hit: Director Jerrold Tarog initially had difficulty with pitching the film to mainstream producers, the latter believing that it would not fare well with a mainstream audience, who are more accustomed to sappy rom-coms and comedies starring the likes of Vice Ganda. Earning over ₱253 million for an independent production with a limited budget proved them otherwise.
• Star-Making Role: John Arcilla has been around for quite some time in the Philippine TV and movie scene and is an acclaimed indie actor, but this film definitely boosted his credentials.
• Viral Marketing: The film was originally set to premier in 91 theaters in the Philippines but went down to 40 after some of them backed out. Fans took it to social media to persuade malls into putting the movie back, and they weren't disappointed when more malls started showing the film in response to viewer backlash.
• What Could Have Been: John Lloyd Cruz was shortlisted to play Antonio Luna but his contract barred him from joining the movie.