Updated: New Jake Gyllenhaal interview ('Zelda was super dope') and Heroes will rise! New PoP TV spots

[Update:] Jake Gyllenhaal was interviewed by GeekSugar on Saturday and among the goodies we hear that 'I definitely have had my fun on the Wii' and 'Zelda was super dope'. I have no idea what they means but it's a phrase I will use with every opportunity from hereonin!


'On what drew him to Prince of Persia: There are a lot of things. One was the character, 'cause for me, whenever I choose a movie it's the character. I thought — at least as it was written — [Prince Dasdan] was wry and funny and had a good time, but at the same time kicked some ass. But then I also like the idea that it was based on a video game. I like to do things that people have tried their hand at and haven't succeeded. Maybe it's a riskier thing to do, but I like that. And I knew that there would be a huge audience of people that I would be trying to appease and that kinda turned me on too. And we're bringing it to younger kids, kids who have never played the video game before and never experienced it.'


'On whether he's played the original Prince of Persia, and if he's a gamer: I have played it, but I'm not a gamer in general. I definitely have had my fun on the Wii. Being an actor you have a lot of time on your hands in between set-ups and things so there's always the opportunity on set. A portable gaming device is always fun. I played a lot of video games when I was a kid. I really loved Metroid when I was a kid. I played that game all the time. Zelda was super dope and it may have been one of my favorites only because the casing was gold. I'm not really sure actually if it was the journey of it or that the casing was gold but I loved that game, and traditional things like the classic Super Mario Bros. and Mike Tyson's Punchout.'


'How he feels about 3D in the film industry: Well, I think it's all about intention. Like Jim Cameron made Avatar, and his intention was to use 3D. Subsequently I think people have tried to join the bandwagon without understanding the creative side of what 3D is. Whenever you have a tool, I think someone should become proficient in that tool. I don't think you just add it to your arsenal and be like "I know how to do this." Regardless, Avatar wouldn't be as amazing as Avatar is — although it's extraordinary on a visual level — without a great story. And I think storytelling has lasted thousands of years as a result of the fact that twists, and turns, and unexpected things happen in stories that blow people's minds, and that's what lasts. We want to tell a great story — 2D, 3D, a great story is a great story.'


'On if he's caught the action genre bug, and if he liked doing his own stunts: I kinda am, yeah. I kinda am. I was [excited to do my own stunts], I mean that's the reason to do it. You're making a movie based on a video game, It's gonna be physical, and if you don't do it, how lame is that? I really had to ask myself, "Are you ready for this? Would you learn how to do Parkour, would you learn how to sword fight for real?" And I tried to be game for everything. I really tried to be. And I was. I did it even though sometimes I didn't succeed at it all the time, I tried each one of the things.'


On with the post!

It never rains but it pours delights over here in Prince of Persia Gyllenland. Hot on the heels of Jake Gyllenhaal's triumphant debut at WonderCon, we have two new TV spots for Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. We have a little more accent, more snakes, more dagger and a lot more sand. The music stands out more here, too, and I like it. If this film doesn't rush headlong into the theatres soon, I swear I could...well, pop.




A couple of pictures here from the clips: Our world could end and Is that all you got?


All of the WonderCon panel is now available to watch in HD on YouTube thanks to The Network. You can see all of the six videos here, including the wonderful moment when Jake appears on the stage under the spotlight of 4,000 pairs of eyes. Here are the final four.






Jordan Mechner has described his rather unreal experience of attending WonderCon in the company of a movie star, a legendary film and TV producer and a much-respected director (I wonder if Jordan got an iPad like Jake...): 'I’ve been to Comic-Cons before, but this WonderCon was a new experience for me. Being flown in by the studio for one day to take part in a Prince of Persia movie panel felt a bit like visiting a parallel universe — one from which parking, waiting in line, negotiating crowds, showing ID, figuring out where to go next, and other ordinary aspects of flying and attending conventions have magically been eliminated.'


'Instead, I was whisked along with Jake Gyllenhaal, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Mike Newell from car to plane to car and from one place to another with such efficiency that all I saw of the show and conference center were underground parking garages, service elevators, corridors and backstage areas — only to suddenly emerge on stage in front of 4,000 people. Feeling the energy of that crowd was a rush I won’t soon forget.' Do visit Jordan's blog for his wonderful sketch of Jake on the plane on the way to WonderCon.



Jake has also been talking about the experience: '"It's so great to hear everybody cheering after the clips," Gyllenhaal told Moviefone. The 'Persia' star and first-time Con attendee was unintimidated by the raucous crowds. "That's the scary thing, people are seeing a little piece of this movie that's just been our own for so long. Granted, 2,000 people worked on it [laughs]. It's great to hear people get psyched, and see the sea of cameras and people."'

Outstanding.


Jake has been spotted last night returning to Canada. Source Code, or at least one unit of it, is leaving for Chicago on 7 April. However, the news that they wanted to hire doubles may suggest Jake may be continuing to film in Montreal for the week. We shall see!


Many thanks to IHJ for the new WonderCon pics - there are plenty more there!