“Challenge me,” Richard Gutierrez dares the GMA creative team when they were brainstorming on his next soap.

The actor wants to get out of his comfort zone and tackle a role he’s never done before.

This year, Chard is no longer doing an adventure-fantasy series, raring to do drama with some action.

Chard also wants to share the limelight with actors he’s never worked before, be they leading ladies, veteran stars and contemporaries.

That’s the challenge Chard hurled at the people involved in the making of his next soap, expected to air March or April.

But before that, Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown, which Chard is hosting, will have its finale on Feb. 10 aired live from GMA.

Chard promises surprising twists and turns during the finale when the champion Survivor is chosen, fortune and fame awaiting the winner.

He hopes to host the next edition of Survivor Philippines later this year.

The Gutierrez siblings — Richard, Raymond and Ruffa — just signed up with  Viva, making the entertainment company headed by Vic del Rosario their agent for commercial endorsements.

At 28 last Jan. 21, Chard feels he’s ready for bigger challenges in the acting field, be it small or big screen.

In the next movie assignment, Chard wants to get “out the box.” He’s open to all kinds of roles — daring, offbeat, vida-contravida.

There are clamors that Chard teams up anew with Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis  and KC Concepcion, who went bold and daring in a magazine cover.

Is he about to follow in the footsteps of KC, his leading lady in two previous movies?

“Why not? As I said, I’m now open to all roles,” says he.

The year 2012 may yet prove to be Chard’s most exciting, challenging year. Who’ll take up his “challenge me” threat?