Jake off to South Carolina? - WDW Road Trip takes to the hills

A little bit of Jake Gyllenhaal movie news past and present today. Firstly, more suggestions that Jake is to film Nailed with David Russell. This project is set to be filmed in South Carolina (and Connecticut) and today this was reported by WIS News: 'COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - He's played Donnie Darko, the Bubble Boy, and Jack Twist. He's starred in movies with his sister - and soon, Jake Gyllenhaal could be coming to the Capital City. A source at the State House tells WIS News 10 that officials are working to bring a movie production starring Jake Gyllenhaal to South Carolina.'


In recent interviews with Doug Liman, the director of the other movie currently attached to Jake, Doug has shown he is having some trouble deciding which film to make next now that Jumper is out in the cinemas - The Unnamed Moon Project or the Valerie Plame Story starring Nicole Kidman. How Nicole's pregnancy will affect things is more cause for confusion.


Meanwhile, young actress Jenny Wade has been talking about her career as an actress in LA, including her most recent job, which required her to 'make out' with Jake in Brothers: 'Initially, Wade's character, Tina, was involved in a drunken night of making out with Gyllenhaal's character at a bar, but the context changed, and when the film comes out in December, Tina is now a "smart girl with political views." Wade still had fun with it and left messages with her female friends, asking "Guess who I just made out with?"'


One wonders if this bar scene has been cut out due to the change in character - in which case I certainly hope it makes the deleted scene section of the DVD, because I think it's crucial we all get to see it (purely to throw light on Jake's character in the film, of course...).

With thanks to an anon reader, we hear that Jake attended the CAA Oscar party the night before the Night Before party: 'Star-struck: That would be Terry Wayne Jones and Tina Pyne, who were in Beverly Hills Friday night for a pre-Oscars party at the home of her chum Bryan Lourd, a honcho with Creative Artists Agency. The Houston duo rubbed elbows with George Clooney, Ellen Barkin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Owen Wilson and on and on until we were absolutely green with envy!' This whole Oscar weekend must be extraordinary for even the biggest stars.


WDW Road Tour takes to the hills

Thanks to all those who have kindly said they've enjoyed by tour of LA - not long to go now... But today I took to the Hollywood Hills for a hike up (and down) Runyon Canyon, having decided that I haven't walked enough on this trip. I didn't stop there though, I walked right across West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, with the result that my Nike has proven itself while my joints are giving up, so tomorrow, the last full day, may be decidedly sedentary. This post is illustrated with pictures of Jake in the same places as me, just not at the same time.



In 2002, Jake was photographed having a fun walk with Natalie Portman - of course, his Brothers' co-star - in Runyon Canyon (see pictures above). I've no doubt that Jake will regularly take Atticus up here because it is a dog heaven - I saw one puggle, two dogs the size of shire horses and a multitude of others that looked like they might peg out at any minute in the heat despite owners pouring water down their throats. It was hot up there. Unfortunately, I didn't see this particular dog.


I saw one man stop running up the steep canyon in order to pause and lift rocks. He then continued to pound up the path with rocks in his pockets and in his hands. I called Mr WDW while I was walking up and he was worried that I was either in need of an ambulance or I was making a 'nuisance' phone call - I live in a flat part of England. There are stunning views to be had over LA, of the Hills and of the Hollywood sign.


After the hike up and down, I went in search of the one thing that could revive me - two bottles of corona - before walking to Joan's on Third, a place at which we have frequently seen Jake over the last few years. Apparently the cupcakes at Joan's rival those of Sprinkles so I set myself a task - I bought a cupcake there and then later a cupcake from Sprinkles. Admittedly, one was carrot and the other was banana but I think it can still be called a scientific experiment. I must say though (with my critical food reviewer hat on) that I doubt Jake is a frequenter of Joan's on Third for its salad nicoise, which was unlike any I've ever seen before and not in a good way. But the Latte had a smiley face drawn into the foam.



From there I walked more miles into Beverley Hills to buy my Sprinkles cupcake and then saw a shop that rang bells in my head - Alter Ego. Sure enough, there's a picture of Jake walking past it. I finished off with a visit to Pinkberry on Beverly Drive and yet more tea at Urth Cafe before crawling back to the hotel - via Bristol Farms' wine section. One doesn't eat much in Beverly Hills - there's no room for food after all this liquid. Jake was nowhere to be seen, which is probably just as well, as I have a bright red peeling nose.




Includes pictures from (with Jake) IHJ and (without Jake) WDW.