'I knew Jake was the one' - Easter bunnies, scary rabbits

Whoever thought that the Easter Bunny was a good idea knew very little about rabbits. I'm not too young to fear and dread Monty Python's Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog, and the trauma of Watership Down is not easily forgotten. But when I think of intimidating rabbits, I don't think of Harvey - or even Wallace and Gromit's Were-rabbit, it is Frank, the Six Foot Bunny, that makes me want to keep the light on at night. We had better let Donnie Darko explain:



Fans even today, no doubt, stop Jake Gyllenhaal when he's on his coffee run and, after saying 'You're even hotter in real life than on the telly' ask what that film with the rabbit means. Jake said (in his foreword to Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko book) 'What is Donnie Darko about? I have no idea, at least not a conscious one...no one - including the man from whose mind it emerged - ever had a simple answer to that question. And that, ironically, is the very thing the film is actually about. There is no single answer to any question.'


One of the curiosities about Donnie Darko - and there are countless of those - is it never loses its appeal and it constantly pops up. Gary Jules' version of Mad World was a Christmas No 1 in the UK, a huge hit, and now the song is getting some renewed interest in the US, thanks to its appearance on American Idol. The song, like the film, is a phenomenon:


'That more haunting, slowed-down and melodic version was performed by little-known California singer/songwriter Gary Jules, who recorded the song with his childhood friend and producer Michael Andrews for the "Darko" soundtrack. The tune also appeared on Jules' 2001 indie album Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets. Two years later, the "Mad World" cover started getting played on the radio in England — some say it was Robbie Williams who spun it first during a guest DJ slot; others claim Radiohead's Thom Yorke brought it to light. In December 2003, the song made Jules and Andrews only the sixth American act ever to win the coveted Christmas #1 position on the British charts.'


Director Richard Kelly has said that the film was odd even before filming began: '"It seems there's always been this weird cult awareness of the film... Even before we started shooting, there was already a fan site, which was very bizarre to me. I mean, the script had been passed around by a lot of people, but I had no idea that anyone would be interested in tracking our film. Although," he adds with a laugh, "I think the original fan site maybe had a little more to do with teenage girls who wanted to know about Jake."' Surely not.


In an online chat with fans of the film, Richard Kelly talked about some of the astounding cast that he won over with little promise of booty. Patrick Swayze for example: 'I guess I was very persuasive with this cast. But the screenplay was what ultimately attracted them. Swayze wanted to completely destroy his image, and I think he should be applauded for doing that.' As for Jake: 'Jason Schwarzman was originally attached to the film, but had to drop out because of a scheduling conflict. When I met Jake, I knew he was the one.'


So, if you want your own Frank the Bunny, can you get one? Richard: 'There has been talk of some "Donnie Darko" toys which, to me, is completely insane. But as of yet, no one has manufactured a replica of the costume. I'd imagine it would be quite expensive.' Well, that's what Richard thinks...


Although, I'm kind of sad to say, that this particular rabbit has come a cropper and is no more. There is now no escape from the needle-and-threat option if you want your own Frank costume. But you can buy, courtesy of Amazon, 12" and 7" figures of Frank, the larger of which speaks or whispers: 'Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?; I can show you the way; Wake up, Donnie; I can do anything I want. So can you; Don't worry... you got away with it; They're in great danger; Do you believe in time travel?' Eerily, Amazon is suggesting that the smaller figure be bought with your very own Hannibal Lecter toy- just what you want for the bedside table. You could get one of these for your bedroom wall instead.



I think I'll wait for the lifesize Prince of Persia model... Happy Easter to all those who celebrate and Happy Holidays to everyone! Here are some treats from me.



Includes pictures from IHJ and links.