Wilbert Ross and Bea Binene are stepping into familiar territory as an onscreen tandem while venturing into an entirely different world of romance, comedy and the supernatural.

The pair will headline Viva Films’ “Pee Mak PH,” the Philippine interpretation of the hugely successful 2013 Thai horror-comedy “Pee Mak,” with Victor Villanueva directing the local adaptation.

Ross will take on the counterpart of Mak, the character famously played by Thai actor Mario Maurer, while Binene will portray his mysterious wife, whose presence becomes the heart of the film’s supernatural story.

Joining them are Vandolph Quizon, Jairus Aquino, TJ Valderrama and Cup of Joe frontman Gian Bernardino, completing the group of friends whose camaraderie and comic misadventures are essential to the story.

At the film’s story conference, Ross acknowledged that audiences who have followed his partnership with Binene may still recognize elements of their established chemistry in their new characters.

“Very WilBea na kasi yung GSOT and ‘Love U Lots’ yearning ng male lead sa TV, so parang I think lalabas at lalabas talaga (dito) yung usual WilBea na nakikita nila sa mga projects namin,” Ross said.

This time, however, he described Mak’s affection as more innocent and youthful.

“And dito, medyo lutang pa yung feelings and mas puppy pa yung love ni Mak,” he added.

For Binene, accepting the project means carrying expectations attached to a movie that became a phenomenon in its home country and has since inspired adaptations elsewhere.

She admitted that uncertainty is something she experiences with every new project, whether it is based on existing material or an entirely original production.

“Siyempre po, kahit hindi adaptation, kahit na bagong proyekto, there’s always a pressure kasi wala ka naman talaga kasiguraduhan,” Binene said.

She noted that an actor cannot fully predict how a project will be received until audiences finally see the finished film.

“Hangga’t hindi ka pa napapanood at hindi mo pa nakikita yung feedback ng supporters and ng viewers, the pressure will always be there,” she explained.

The actress is nevertheless approaching “Pee Mak PH” with enthusiasm, particularly because of the opportunity to become part of the Filipino version of such a recognizable Asian film.

“Aside from the pressure, siguro po yung excitement as well as yung gratefulness to Viva for trusting us and for giving us the chance to be part of this very exciting project,” Binene said. “It’s an honor to be part of these incredible people.”

The original “Pee Mak” gave a comedic and romantic spin to Thailand’s famous Mae Nak Phra Khanong ghost legend. Its story follows a soldier who returns from war to reunite with his wife, unaware of the terrifying secret his friends gradually begin to uncover.

For Ross and Binene, the challenge now is to honor characters already familiar to millions while giving Mak and his wife a distinctly Filipino interpretation.

With Villanueva at the helm and a supporting cast built around different comedic personalities, “Pee Mak PH” will attempt to recreate the unusual balance of scares, laughter, friendship and romance that helped turn its Thai predecessor into a box-office phenomenon.