Jake - 'We went through a hair thing...' - Are we in for another one?

Without doubt, the movie and computer gaming worlds today have been lapping up the rumour that Jake Gyllenhaal could become Persian Prince Dastan. I know this particular Gyllenhaalic can hardly stand the wait to see if Jake will be seen parkouring his way around the minarets and fortresses and date palms of 9th-century Persia. To get in the mood, here is a 'trailer' for the Prince of Persia, Sands of Time film using scenes from the game - just to see what we might expect.



Of course there are concerns - and, if you click this link, you'll see the biggie. Yes, although this film could show Jake at his most athletic, at his most swashbuckling, at his most exotic, at his least dressed, it could also continue the terrible and disturbing trend that we have observed during much of Jake's acting career - the compulsion of directors to mess with what is perfect - Jake's hair.


A recent post here outlined some of the major problems that Jake's hair has faced over the last six or seven years - most notably, suffering through Bubble Boy, being tortured through Moonlight Mile and being banished altogether in Jarhead. Even Donnie Darko and Rendition weren't blamess.



In 2001, Jake and Richard Kelly were interviewed by Sharon Waxman at the Sundance Film festival about Donnie Darko and Jake's hair was an issue: 'Richard Kelly: You're the one with the dark last name Donnie. Jake Gyllenhaal: You created him. Richard Kelly: You dyed your hair black, dude. Jake Gyllenhaal: I just showed up and read the lines. Maybe that day I showed up with my hair dyed black, you were really freaking out, but you were calm about the whole thing -- 'Could we make this just a little lighter, please?" Sharon Waxman: Why freak out because you dyed your hair? Jake Gyllenhaal: Because it's Donnie Darko, not Donnie Dark-hairo. I'm not a cartoon character.'


Jake may not be a cartoon character but let's hope he may soon be a videogame character.

It goes on: 'Jake: We went through a hair thing with Donnie Darko and it ended up dark brown. I dyed it pitch black, blue-black for my next movie, "The Bubble Boy" (I totally recommend it). I just love dying my hair. Like Guy Pearce in "Memento" - he has beach blonde hair. Richard: The depth of this discussion is what Sundance is all about. Jake: You don't understand the plight of an actor. You have to change people's opinions of you, and if it means dying your hair - that's the independent spirit. Sharon: You don't get the Hollywood and Vine discussion without a little hair talk.'


When Jake was interviewed by Zodiac legend David Fincher for Interview magazine, the topic turned to Rendition and it is clear that Jake had problems with his lovely locks during filming: 'Most of that movie was just Dion trying to make sure my hair didn't look too big.' Dion Beebe was the director of photography for Rendition while Eamon Hughes (wasn't he a Welsh rugby player?) had the enviable task of keeping Jake's hair under control. I see that Eamon looked after Cate Blanchett's hairdo for Notes on a Scandal.



It's very interesting to read the update from Cinematical today. While Disney were quick to quash the Orlando Bloom rumour 'Cinematical has talked with a Disney rep who would not deny nor confirm this rumor. Their "you'll see soon enough" stance leads us to believe there might be some truth here. Oh, and expect both leads to be announced at the same time.' One wonders what is going on behind the scenes and, with Nailed due to get going in the next few days, time could be short. We may know sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I have been inspired to get the game out again and make a study of its wardrobe and hair while evading collapsing rooves and poisonous snakes. And now I'm wondering if Jake likes playing computer games... And is he any good?


Pictures from IHJ.