Jake Gyllenhaal has an 'old British Empire moment', but isn't rugged enough for Gemma? New WonderCon videos

May Day! Almost two years ago to the day, and most precisely two years ago to the day of the Prince of Persia world premiere in London on 9 May, we heard that Jake Gyllenhaal would play the prince. We're used to rumours and so this one was only slightly more certain than others and yet here we are, entering May 2010, at last the month of Prince of Persia's release and it is very real indeed. It can't come soon enough, not least because I'm running out of shelfspace.


Jake Gyllenhaal is featured in the LA Times today: "I actually jump out of a window and land on the back of my horse, just like in the old movie, Zorro-style". Jake has a few words to say about the Prince of Persia 'general', Mike Newell, who directs with his own inimitable, British way of doing things. '"He's a big, robust guy; he's really a general, like how you imagine a D.W. Griffith might carry himself on the set," Gyllenhaal said. "He would use a bullhorn if you handed him one. He's got this bellowing, old-school British accent — you hear him from behind the camera, 'That's smashing, Jake, smashing. Well done, my boy.' You're not living in 'The Sheltering Sky,' but it's easy to pretend you were in this old British Empire moment."'


Bearing in mind that I live in a town where May Day is heralded in each year by people wearing full evening dress chucking themselves off medieval bridges at dawn into the Thames (renamed Isis here) while choirs sing in towers (followed by a boozy breakfast down the pub at 6.30am), I've got to say these 'old British Empire moments' are not quite as fleeting as Jake might expect. I suddenly realise that I say 'smashing' a lot...

Back to the article... Mike Newell on Jake: "He puts a human heart in the middle of a movie that will absolutely need one to connect with the audience."


Jake repeats one of his well-known tailor images: "I grew up with filmmakers and I consider myself a filmmaker, sort of, but as an actor taking on a role I know that I'm just a piece of a situation. What I mean by that is you become part of the story that will be up there on the screen and that makes you want to try a really wide variety of situations. You try on a coat, you wear it for a while and you give it back. That's what acting is.... Sometimes as an actor you just want to try something on." More here.

The World of the Internet has been enjoying the recently released pictures of Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan without a shirt. Obviously, this enjoyment is based solely upon an appreciation of historical accuracy in Jake's reenactment of early medieval daring do. You can appreciate this once more below.



And so, you can imagine my disbelief at seeing an interview with Gemma Princess of Persia Arterton today in which, when asked whether she was a Daniel Craig or a Jake Gyllenhaal girl, she replied: 'Um, I'd probably say Daniel Craig. He's more rugged...'


Without ado, I consulted my dictionary: Rugged = 'Having a rough irregular surface;.. Having strong features marked with furrows or wrinkles;... Having a sturdy build or strong constitution;... Tempestuous;... Demanding great effort, ability, or endurance;... Lacking culture or polish; coarse and rude.' Jake indeed does not have the 'rugged face of the old sailor', not is he a 'rugged trapper' with a ribald wit. If Gemma wants someone who is the epitome of 'the rugged weather of the North Atlantic', then that's fine by me...

It's great to see two new videos today from WonderfulCon! Lots of Jake and Jerry and I am so ready to see this film!




Includes pictures from links, Disney and IHJ.

Jake Gyllenhaal models early medieval Persian accessories, Source Code wraps and Nailed 2 years on

The postman may have delivered my Prince of Persia: Book of the Film book today (see actual cover below) but is there time to read it? Oh no... Tempting as it is to curl up and read along with 6th-century Persian exploits and daring-do, I thought I'd make the sacrifice and instead look at the newly-released pictures of Jake Gyllenhaal with his shirt off.


Please note the use of accessories, the careful attention to detail with the trim of the boots, the intricate hair beads, and the range of headgarb that can be seen on the observers.


Gemma Arterton has been talking to Radio 1 and, apart from impressing on the interviewer that she is not marrying a stuntman, she has something to say about PoPstar Jake: 'Jake was a very, very funny guy. He's really nice. He's quite serious when it comes to his work. He works hard and he is a perfectionist. But he likes to make jokes and he's fun. He's funny. And he is fit, of course.' If you can draw your eyes away from the extraordinary attention to detail in the costumes of the crowd in these pictures, I think you may agree.


We have some more details from the Disney day at Leicester Square in London's West End yesterday, at which a screening of PoP was introduced by Mike Newell. Although Mike has always said that Jake was his first choice, he was pushed to give examples of others who were considered, albeit briefly. They included James McAvoy and Ben Barnes. I do remember that Orlando Bloom was also once attached. But say Prince of Persia to me now and I cannot imagine a soul other than Jake Gyllenhaal filling those sturdy incredible boots.


Source Code has wrapped! Duncan Jones tweeted today: 'Well, just wanted to let you know, ITS ONLY OUR LAST BLOODY DAY OF SHOOTING!!! Now...where to take Ro for hols? Im thinking... Blackpool!' Ro is a lucky lady (especially if she likes trams and ballroom dancing). More details at ManMadeMovies. Congratulations to Duncan and the cast and crew!


Source Code may be in the can but, unfortunately, we can't say the same thing for another highly craved movie: Nailed. An interesting summary of the plight of what is truly a tragi-comedy has been published on The Daily Beast (and summarised at the Playlist). It records the struggle of those involved to get this film made, the efforts of Jake to encourage its completion and the frustration of all in the face of repeated delays and standoffs. We heard Jake discuss 'The Nail' at WonderCon recently and it is encouraging and marvellous how, in the face of all of this, there is still a fight to see it off the shelf and on to our screens. Possibly TV screens but that would be a big something, and I'll take it.


It seems appropriate to talk about Nailed today as this day is the 2nd anniversary of Ted and (BBMISwear) Lisa's Excellent Adventure when they spent some quality time with Jake on the Nailed set. If you want to read more - and you really must! - please visit Ted's LJ and ask to be befriended and then you will read a wonderful, hysterical and memorable account of that April day. What about this for a lovely couple?!


Includes pictures from Disney, via IHJ, and Ted and Lisa.

And finally...

A couple of videos I recorded while watching the sublime Rufus Wainwright in Oxford on Monday.

A new PoP featurette - The Princess of Persia - Jake Gyllenhaal makes the People most beautiful list and a Joe Namath update

We have a new Prince of Persia featurette this evening (I will do a catchup with Prince of Persia featurettes as soon as I've catalogued and classified them - I've catalogued Roman nails, I can catalogue Prince of Persia featurettes). This time the focus is on the Princess of Persia, the feisty Tamina aka Gemma Arterton but there is some Jake Gyllenhaal in it.



We even have captured here the punchline of one of Jake's infamous fish jokes...


There was a Disney press day today in London and it included a screening of the film introduced by Mike Newell. Understandably, no-one's allowed to say much as yet but there was this: 'Prince of Persia is wicked. Good adventure film. Part "Pirates" part "National Treasure" with a hint of "Indiana Jones". Its a great mix.'

Talking of Prince of Persia, I'm delighted to say that I appear to have several PoP books and keyrings in the post to me at the moment. I ordered these so long ago, it'll be quite a lucky dip, not to mention a heavy load for the postman.


People magazine has today announced it's most beautiful people and there amongst them is - not surprisingly - our Jake: 'He plays the adventurous – and buff! – Prince of Persia this summer, but off-screen the actor, 29, is a regular guy who doesn't need much to make him happy. "I feel my best after a home-cooked meal with family and friends," he says.' Is that a photo from the Mysterious Photoshoot that I see?

Elsewhere on the internet there is an article by original Joe Namath writer David Hollander suggesting that previous 'news' about the revival of the Joe Namath project with Jake Gyllenhaal at the helm may have been pure CGI. According to Hollander, the project has no studio, no linked star (it was Hollander who had wanted Jake for the role) and very little future. However, Hollander argues that if we all pay for our news then we will get the truth.

Jake Gyllenhaal on PoP: 'I just think how much fun the kids are going to have' - and a WDW Rufus Interlude

Jake Gyllenhaal in the glorious book We Make Our Own Destiny: Behind the Scenes of Prince of Persia (the postman was good to me today): 'Every time I walk onto one of the sets in this movie, I just think of all the children that I know and love, and how much fun they're going to have watching this movie... The fact is, I made it for them. And if I'm frustrated about something, I take a look at the sets of Alamut, or the Sandglass of the Gods, and I just think about how much fun the kids are going to have watching Dastan fight off the Hassansins and doing his jumps and leaps.'


'It brings me a lot of joy to think about that, because I remember how huge of an influence movie heroes had on my life when I was young. Kids today are brought up in a very different world. We're experiencing a lot of hard stuff. So it's really nice to have a movie that's a real escape and a metaphor for them that represents good. It's a nice feeling to be a part of something like that.'


Jordan Mechner: 'I think Jake is a fantastic choice for the role. Once you see him in costume and in action, you have no doubt that he can be the prince in sixth-century Persia... Jake definitely looks like the prince, but more important than how an actor looks is who they are, and the personality they project. Jake is strong, heroic, humorous, sensitive, and vulnerable, and you have no doubt he's going to do the right thing.'


Jerry Bruckheimer in an interview for HeyUGuys: 'For a start [Jake] is a wonderful actor and he is very handsome. We have done this with so many actors. Will Smith in “Bad Boys”, he was seen as a comedic actor. Nicolas Cage in “Con Air”. He had always played various characters but was never an action hero until that and “The Rock”. I’m a fan of certain actors and Jake is one of them.'


As you know, I got hold of some PoP lego a short time ago, and after a couple of photo opportunities in which Mini Jake took on the mighty Mallard and Dragon, I thought I'd have a go at something slightly more ambitious.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

While tonight's post has been delayed by an Avatar and Pizza evening, last night was all about one man and a piano, Rufus Wainwright. More on that to follow tomorrow but in the meantime, here's a passing shot from something wonderful.


Pictures with thanks from Shockya, Disney, the lovely IHJ and moi.

The Prince of Persia London premiere will be 'one of the biggest movie events the UK has ever known!''

Thanks to HeyUGuys, here is part of a press release from Disney regarding the London premiere on 9 May. Take some deep breaths, friends, this is gonna be BIG! I need a sit down...

'WORLD PREMIERE ON SUNDAY 9 MAY, 2010 IN SIX COUNTRIES

Film talent attending include:

JAKE GYLLENHAAL, GEMMA ARTERTON, TOBY KEBBELL, RICHARD COYLE and SIR BEN KINGSLEY

Producer JERRY BRUCKHEIMER and Director MIKE NEWELL


On Sunday, 9 May Disney will create a global first for the World Premiere of PRINCE OF PERSIA: SANDS OF TIME by crossing five time zones to host multiple premiere events around the world in keeping with the time twisting themes of the film. The global event will start in Australia before moving to Asia and then onto Europe and Central America with the stars of the film satellite linked in to every event live from London.

The world premiere of PRINCE OF PERSIA: SANDS OF TIME will be the first ever to take place in London’s most exciting entertainment and leisure and shopping destination, Westfield London with the screening at the Vue Westfield, the UK’s number one, newest and most innovative purpose built all digital cinema complex. The event will kick off within Westfield’s Atrium, a unique event space located under a spectacular undulating glass roof, which will tie-in with the breath-taking stunts as featured within the movie.


Audiences in Australia and Asia will experience the movie first, with the cast and filmmakers beamed in to introduce the film. At 6.00pm GMT countries including Mexico, Germany and Italy will all connect to London to simultaneously experience a spectacular live entertainment show including a stunning free-running display. The world premiere and red carpet extravaganza will also be simulcast to twenty cinemas across Britain, for what will be one of the biggest movie events the UK has ever known!'

And I'm seeing Rufus Wainwright tonight - could this day get any better?!

Jake Gyllenhaal takes on ostriches, crocs and celebrity dining. And a WDW Interlude

Those Disney Movie Surfers have been chasing Jake Gyllenhaal around Morocco again. But before we get to the video I have to warn you. The scenes you are about to see contain images so shocking and so disturbing, I want you to think seriously about whether it's in your best interests to watch them. This video - worryingly unrated - contains - completely gratuitously, I'm sure you'll agree - Ostrich Peril.




Jake Gyllenhaal is on record for calling ostriches 'sweet' but obviously he said that in all innocence of what lay before him in the filming of this movie. Consider yourself warned.



Thanks to IHJ for their brave work in bringing this to light.

Not surprisingly, Jake Gyllenhaal is now taking it easy back in Los Angeles, where he is filling his time by catching up with his famous pals before heading off to answer lots of questions about what it's like turning a videogame into a movie and did he do his own stunts. Yesterday Jake was seen at Mozza eating pizza (possibly) with Gwyneth Paltrow and Adam Levine. I have no doubt whatsoever that, yet again, Gwyneth was having to bear the brunt of Jake's 'There once was a movie called Proof' limericks.


Jake was also seen having breakfast with Anne Hathaway yesterday at Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose. I'm not going to comment on this because of what it does to my wish fulfilment fantasies. The 'best breakfast in Los Angeles' tag though may be worth remembering.


Before Jake left Montreal, he did manage to give us another glimpse of himself as Colter - complete with fatigues and Atticus. However, I'm sure like me, two things have not escaped your attention - as if the ostriches aren't enough shock for one evening.

1. Jake is wearing (and I can hardly stand to say the word) crocs. Crocs! Duncan Jones, what have you done to him?!

2. Jake is wearing his earphones the wrong way round. I can hardly believe it either...




Updated to add a couple of pictures from Punkd of Jake leaving Montreal on Friday. Can someone recognise the hoodie?



A WDW Interlude

As threatened yesterday, here is a WDW Interlude, courtesy of a fine spring day and a fuel-guzzling, bumpy motorbike with no panniers. This time we went west which, after some miles, can only mean one thing in England - Wales. So after Gloucester, we found ourselves at Chepstow Castle in the Welsh borders...




...before making our way to Tintern Abbey, a place that photos can never approach with justice. Other photos show the view from Symonds Yat (peregrines were nesting there but all I saw was a plastic one and a chaffinch) and Goodrich Castle, which was carved out of red rock. If I could also share with you the pain of sitting on a motorbike for an entire day, I willingly would.





Pictures from links, IHJ and WDW.

Jake Gyllenhaal back at the Medical Center!

Source Code is over for Jake Gyllenhaal, the Prince of Persia Hoopla is about to begin but, always the professional, Jake still has time to put in some hours at The Medical Center. Not only that, he does it with a big grin on his face. Please note how I'm not mentioning the sunglasses.






Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes as WDW turns three today. It's been and remains enormous fun to spend the time with all of you and share the passion - thanks Jake!

Pictures with thanks from IHJ.

Chasing Jake Gyllenhaal around Hyde Park, Jake was 'constantly shirtless' and making PoP memories

'I put Jake in a 10kg weighted jacket and then chased him through Hyde Park' - while I thought that the government had banned Jake Hunting in British parkland, I would like to give the speaker some advice. If you put Jake Gyllenhaal in a 30kg weighted jacket you have much more chance of catching him. These words were spoken by Jake's Prince of Persia trainer Simon Waterson in June's edition of Men's Fitness, in a feature that is different from the online version that I posted here a couple of days ago. But before we get to the article, who'd have thought the day would come when we would see the Prince of Persia using a gym ball? Not me, that's for sure.



But follow these excercises and you too will look like a noble warrior. Click and they shall be bigger. Incidentally, this issue of the magazine will also tell you how to 'build biceps with kebabs' and gives you 5 good reasons why going to the pub is good for you. I can think of at least 8...



Jake was rightly proud of his princely physique and we hear more about that in the new issue of US Weekly which reached the UK today, two days late thanks to a certain eruption. A 'source' tells us: 'He was very proud of the way his body looked... He was constantly shirtless.'


Duncan Jones gave us some more information today via twitter. While less than a week remains for the Source Code shoot, Jake's part is done: 'we wrapped Jake yesterday'. You do not want to know what images this puts in my head. I just hope it was with a nice bow. May all of Jake's future directors are adept social networkers. I realise that the image below does not depict someone in a movie that involves a train.


The cover of the American GQ was received by some with less than 100% appreciation. For me this was because of the suit; for others it was to do with the size of Jake's head. The Russian GQ, however, put all this right and has given us a cover to love. The only problem is you can't get your hands on it for love nor money. However, I'd like to point out that the American GQ is bloody well better than what British GQ will probably give us. It won't be Jake, it won't even be a bloke. Thanks to IHJ for the cover and for the lovely poster above!


Tomorrow is WDW's 3rd birthday - I'll be reading and writing before you know it. I'm spending much of the day on an old motorbike touring the castles and medieval abbeys of the Welsh borders. So I'd like to begin celebrations now by posting some of the images of Jake that have been my desktop wallpapers over the last few months. There's something special about images that you pick to look at the first time you turn your computer on in the day. Recently, it's been all about Dastan, but the next time I want to share a few of those older pictures which are saved in that 'only to come out on very special occasions' folder. Please feel free to bake a cake...







Includes scans from WDW and pictures from IHJ.