How Dante Basco tapped the whole family to make his 'Fabulous' directorial debut

LOS ANGELES — Dante Basco wasn't expecting a green light on a personal project based on his own family. The actor, well known for playing the fiery Rufio in 1991's "Hook" and Zuko on the hit animated series "Avatar: The Last Airbender," didn't even have a script yet.

But for years he'd been developing the saga of four brothers gathered for a wedding — fictional, yet drawn from real events and relationships — that he'd star in alongside his actual brothers Derek, Darion and Dionysio. Conceived with co-writer Darion and set in their Bay Area hometown, its title proudly placed their heritage front and center: "The Fabulous Filipino Brothers."

Meeting with potential backers in the Philippines, the idea struck a chord. Basco, 46, got a script drafted and was soon