For Halloween 2026, actor/director David Chua suits up as Edward Scissorhands, the gentle but freakish character played by Johnny Depp in the eponymous 1990 Tim Burton fantasy romance flick.
EMBRACING TRADITION
For several years now, the chinito celebrity had always looked forward to cosplaying for this annual tradition.
He says, “I love Halloween because it gives me the chance to bring characters to life in my own way. There’s something special about taking a character that has captured my imagination and figuring out how to make a little piece of their world feel real.”
“As I put the look together, I get to add parts of myself to fit my style, my ideas, and the little details that make it feel personal.”
David adds, “Halloween gives me the freedom to explore imagination, mystery and transformation. It’s a time when the unfamiliar becomes playful, and we get to step outside everyday life to embrace something magical, spooky or unexpected. At the heart of it is the joy of becoming, creating and sharing that experience with others.”
A cursory look through his social media pages reveals some of the iconic characters that David had transformed into over the past five years, including: the Joker, the Vampire Lestat (from Interview with a Vampire), Machine Gun Kelly, and even Captain America.
“BEAUTIFULLY IMPERFECT”
Why did he choose to play Edward Scissorhands this time?
He explains, “I chose Edward Scissorhands because I’ve always found something beautiful about being different. I think we all experience moments when we feel misunderstood, judged or don’t exactly fit in. Best of all, he turns his imperfections into something beautiful. And that’s what makes Edward so special to me.”
“For me, dressing up as Edward isn’t just about recreating an iconic character. It’s also about embracing parts of ourselves that make us unique, even the ones we sometimes wish we could change. Because sometimes, the things that make us feel like we don’t belong are the very same things that make us special.”
TRADITIONAL ART VS. NEW TECHNOLOGY
Last week, the chinito actor/director triggered controversy and went viral for his groundbreaking experiment involving artificial intelligence (AI).
Since September, he had been posting about his alleged new girlfriend, Sophia Moretti, whom he later confessed to be AI-generated.
Despite his proclivity for the new medium, David still believes in creating art the traditional way.
He adds, “That’s also why I wanted to bring this character to life the traditional way. This shoot was created by hand, together with a team of talented people — without the aid of new technology. Every detail, especially in the costume, reflects real effort, creativity and collaboration.”
“As much as I appreciate what technology can offer, I still believe that AI can be a tool creativity, but it can never truly replace the heart, human connection and craftsmanship behind real-life art.”
“And perhaps that’s why Edward Scissorhands resonates with me so much. Because at the end of the days, there’s something irreplaceable about creating something beautiful with your own hands.” [PR]
Photography: Doc Marlon Pecjo
HMUA: Gab Laxamana
Leave a Reply