Monday 7 June 2010

[Updated] Why Jake Gyllenhaal chose Dastan over Avatar's Sully and the dangers and gifts of making movies

Many congratulations to Gemma Arterton on her marriage, which took place in Spain on Saturday! Report here.

While I'm loath to interrupt all those in the UK watching the Brothers DVDs that they bought today, I thought I'd better do a new post, if only to let this image from yesterday float around our imaginations for a while... 'farmer's market catch of the day/month/year: jake gyllenhaal, buff and scruffy, holding motorcycle helmet, intensely swoon-worthy.' Following hot on the heels of the People sighting of Jake arriving for brekkie on a motorbike, there now seems more support for the idea that Jake Gyllenhaal has learned what so many of us bikers have learned - it's a lot easier to get up those hills when you don't have to pedal. Someone should tell Lance...


But talking of Brothers, which, of course, many of you will be buying this week, thanks to MMK for this wonderful, and slightly distracting, Brothers montage.


Until we have the pleasure of seeing Jake on his bike (and finding out what breed it is), I'll make do with posting more about Prince of Persia, which has now taken an extraordinary $216m wordwide. In this video interview with Sky News, Jake and Gemma talk about what it was like throwing off the roles after living in them for so many months: 'We did shoot this movie for six, seven months so by the end of it you'd been playing one character for so long it was sort of a relief to shed all those things, cut your hair, go for a run without lifting any weights. I like changing from one role to the next. In fact I went onto the next movie and played a Viagra salesman. It was quite different!'


Jake Gyllenhaal did a bunch of excellent interviews for Prince of Persia and I'm going to be mulling them over for some time as I digest the heady PoP month of May 2010. This French interview - with the Cool Prince of Hollywood - is one of the best. You can see the scans over at IHJ.


Jake talks about turning down the role of Sully in Avatar in favour of Dastan: "When James and I discussed the project, I wasn't ready. In this business, if you don't listen to yourself, you're going to meet serious trouble. What made the Prince of Persia different is the humor. Dastan, my character is a hero who doesn't take himself seriously; he's funny and that's what I like about him. I had fun during this shoot, even if I spent over an hour and a half every morning putting my costume on, with thirty minutes just to tie my boots"



"I learned to keep my distance from all this [paparazzi attention], I know how to protect myself. The problem in my profession isn't the tabloid press. Moviemaking is a dangerous for your mental health if you're not honest with yourself. If you play a game, then sooner or later, you'll lose yourself. The hardest part for me is to be fair. I want to choose good stories, the roles that I really wanted, and, above all, give meaning to my life and make it meaningful to others.When one of my movies affects people, it's little, but that's something." It's an awful lot more than something, Jake.


On working with the delinquent youths for Brothers: "I remember a meeting with young people aged between 14 and 16 years. One of them read a poem aloud. He was so charismatic, so talented ... This experience touched me deeply. I know all the boys that I work with; I know what they did to get there and I understand their anger and sadness. These are feelings that I experienced at their age. I empathise with them because, ultimately, only a few kilometers separate the rich neighborhoods of Los Angeles and downtown, where they lived."


"During the filming of Jarhead Jamie Foxx tried to teach me chess. He taught me two key strokes, which, if I use them intelligently, lets me win the game. In the kitchen, it's much the same thing. I master a few techniques, but what counts is that I know what to do. I love going to the market, to see and touch the products; it gives me ideas. Being a good cook means to invent, be intuitive and not follow recipes to the letter."


Updated to add new pictures of Jake leaving the gym in Studio City today (7 June). These pictures show that Jake is definitely making up for all the gym hours I've lost over the last month. Many thanks to IHJ for the pics!




Pictures with thanks from MMK, links and IHJ.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

HAWT. :)

Bertie

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Oh yes, Bertie.... HAWT!

Thanks MMK for that fabulous and indeed hot Brothers pic!

Jake Fan said...

Not to make anyone jealous or anytbing but Jake will be sleeping with me in the near future...on top!



I ordered the "you specialize" POP t-shirt from Disney. I plan on using it as a nightshirt with my Mickey pj shorts.

I have decided to be totally positive toward POP and the Boston Celtics. So far its going pretty well with this positive thinking stuff.

Carol said...

That image deserves accompanying photographs. Hot, hot, hot:)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Jake Fan! A good pal bought me the PoP shirt all the way over from LA and I'm glad to say that I beat you in sleeping with Jake!

Positive thing is a great thing - but I have to admit that I don't know whether to think positively for the Celtics of the Lakers - bearing in mind that I have seen the Lakers play but not the Celtics...

Wet Dark and Wild said...

^^^ 'positive thing' should be 'positive thinking ' of course, my typing can't keep up with my Jaking.

Hi Carol! We need pics :D Prefereably with the visor up.

Linda said...

what a great post! :)
I'm glad everybody knows Jake is a smart guy and not just a pretty face :D
he can do whatever he wants cause he's just so amazing
have a nice monday :)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Thanks Linda! There is definitely much more to Jake :D Hope you're having a good day too!

Anonymous said...

Not to make anyone jealous or anytbing but Jake will be sleeping with me in the near future...on top! *swoon*

Loving the last two pics. :)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi 21:15! They're great pics, aren't they?!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Updated the post :D

Unknown said...

hey everyone,

had a great day today, i went to see pop earlier (gets better every time i see and jake manages to look hotter.....how is that possible!!!) and ive just finished watching brothers....such a good movie, all 3 main leads were so convincing in their roles but of course jakes charecter is really the glu in the whole movie that makes everyones performance what it is.
.....and now ive just logged onto wdw to see some rather gorgeous pics of jake and the great interviews....tops of a great day...thanks wdw.

the gym pics are really sexy, i love him when he wears those aviator rayban sunglasses as opposed to the black 'tom cruise' risky business ones. they make him look so much 'cooler'.
has anyone noticed how hes got his towel or 'something'stuffed into his shorts,there is something white flapping around his cute butt.(yes....i have looked and noticed that)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

That sounds like such a great day, Sabina :D I do agree that PoP just gets better and better and setting it off with Brothers - sounds good to me :D

Jake looks great here, leaving the gym in that favourite t-shirt. And maybe that's the start of a new towel look :)

I wonder if Jake is taking the training up to the next level for a new role, hmmm

Anonymous said...

JAKE I LOVE YOUR HAIR LIKE THIS. NEVER CHANGE.
(i like your blog!) :) xxx

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Thanks 22:21! And yes, loving Jake's hair like this (although I kinda like it PoP long too - I'm so conflicted...)

Unknown said...

hi wdw,
thanks for the great info and pics once again.
i was just wondering, after reading the articles, it mentions how he changes his roles from doing pop then going on to do love and other drugs. when did he do nailed? ive been hearing about it for some time now, definately before love and other drugs. when can we see it? will it be released soon?

Anonymous said...

Jake likes to stay in shape in "real life" but it would come in handy for a new movie.
If we see him visiting that building that includes Doctors then you never know as they do have to have check-ups and such when going into a new movie.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Sabina :) Nailed was filmed back in the spring of 2008 - if you go back through the WDW archives you'll see lots of reports from the set - we followed it pretty closely. But it ran into all kinds of money and legal problems. Jake recently called it The Nail and it sounds like he and Jessica Biel have been actively involved in trying to get it finished (one scene left). But despite hints in the media that we will see it soon, it's still up in the air. I think we may get a DVD at some time - it's a great thing about PoP - Nailed could come out on the coat tails. As you can see, this is a long running drama and no end in sight yet!

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi 22:31 :D Jake's always visiting that building so I don't know if that's a clue as such but he does usually visit it before going abroad. Jake does indeed stay in shape but now and again he seems to up the levels. Maybe this is one of them. I'm thinking Joe Namath :DD Pure speculation of course!

Unknown said...

thanks for your response wdw....i'll definately check out the archives.
hope its a dvd release soon... that would give us something good to look forward.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

I think we'll get Love and Other Drugs first - that is definitely something to look forward to!

Anonymous said...

Jake must have been in a rush. His towel is under his t-shirt. :P He looks hottt though :D I love his sunnies

Silver

Unknown said...

yeah...ure right. what could be better than jake with very little clothing on .....only his murkin(not sure of spelling)...hahahaha..CAN'T WAIT!!

Monica said...

"When James and I discussed the project, I wasn't ready.

Unfortunately. He would have been a great Jake Sully.
And still has the box office.
Jake had been in the movie with the biggest BO of all time!

Thank you for bringing these articles!

TD said...

I'm gonna try and see PoP again tomorrow eve, while waiting for my Brothers DVD to arrive.

I've just downloaded the iPod POP app. And left a 5 star review.

With ref. to recent rants, my own included, about the marketing of PoP, I've often wondered: Do you think men are afraid of Jake? I mean, he raises the bar pretty high for them...courage, dignity, fitness etc...;D

TD

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Silver! He does look hot :D Jake doesn't seem to carry bags to and from the gym normally - he just wears all the stuff :)

Can't wait, Sabina!

Hey Monica! I love Avatar as you know but I still think that it was all about the characters and not about the actors - not a bad thing but not what I want for Jake. Jake has seduced so many people with his Dastan and I'm not talking about critics but audiences. Interest in Jake has soared and as he's saifd himself, it's through mixing roles like this that he can do whatever he wants with the future.

I'm really glad you're enjoying the articles!

Hey TD! I downloaded it too! I'm not doing well with it at all - and that's an understatement. The controls take a bit of geetting used to but it's bringing back so many memories! And yeah, you could have a point there, especially with reference to male critics. I think some of them may prefer women to stick with SATC.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Congratulations to Gemma Arterton the Princess of Persia! She got married on Saturday :)

Pics here

Anonymous said...

Apologies for the third post of the night, but just noticed PoP is top of the MOVIEmeter on iMDB and Gemma is top of the STARmeter, Jake third. Certainly generated a lot of interest. I just wish the Americans would get off their bums and go see it.

Silver

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hey, don't apologise Silver! Love you posting :D It's so great seeing the interest of moviegoers in PoP and the cast - and so well done to Gemma. Yeah, I wish more people in the states had been to see it but fortunately everywhere else has made up for it :)

sheba said...

Thanks for new pics and interviews as always. I loved that Canadian interview from the last post. Both men were very at ease and Jake was on form.

I didn't realise Jake was up for Avatar. I'm so glad he didn't do it although it may have been bettdr with more heart and less wooden performances. I wonder what he wasn't ready for.

Just finished watching Brothers. My favourite and best delivered line was "pride's a sin". Excellent :D it was better and more intense on the big screen. Wish there was more Jake scenes. Even commentary. Ah well, it's all good.

Jake Fan said...

Educated guess for Jake's workouts of late. According to the source of the pics, Jake was leaving the Tracey Anderson Studios in LA. The studio mentions dance techniques on its site. Isn't Jake supposedly doing a movie based on the broadway show "Damn Yankeess"? It requires dancing and no offense to Jake but the boy does need help.

Evidence, the Jimmy Fallon show and the infamous Russian video.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

That is very true, Jake Fan. It is indeed a fact that Jake dances as... 'interestingly' as Mr WDW and Jake has admitted during the PoP tour that he has two left feet. I was checking out the work out routine there too and I am wondering - hmmm - and I can't help thinking if the motorbike fits in somewhere - hmmm. I'll say it again - hmmmmm :)

BBMISwear said...

I have to say that although I know it is going to take me some time to catch up on the weeks of posts I have missed here it gives me great comfort that everything is right here safe and sound for me to enjoy in small increments. These small increments of Jake enjoyment is all life is allowing me at the moment but I will take what I can get! So thank you times 1 million WDW - you have created the best Jake site on the planet and I know I have hours and hours of great chilling out time ahead of me as I catch up on the many wonderful pictures, videos, interview, articles, etc from the past few crazy weeks! I'll let you know how I'm doing as I go (and based on how much I loved today's post I can only imagine what a fun catch-up ride this will be)! Thanks again for all your hard work :-)

Anonymous said...

The Fallon show - he has rhythm - if he has to "learn" dances I'm sure he will be able to do it.
Actually the most "Joe" dances is in the "Two Lost Souls" song. (A number they Must keep in. It's fun, has humor, and just a great moment in the original movie, and am sure on stage).
That i can rem. there is no involvment with any of the baseball player dances.
He will sing and That will be good.
Not sure how much they will change tho in making it more "up to date".
Am talking like this is what he's going to be doing next. I think we're feeling he's getting ready to do something. If not that it might be the Namath movie.
(If he starts to practice football - a pretty good give-away.)

T said...

Thanks for another great week of posts WDW am just catching up now.
All evidence would suggest that Jake could be gearing up for the Damn Jankees project what with potential motorbike sightings & using Tracey Anderson Gym - but i wont get my hopes up just yet (not till i see him on a motorbike looking rugged & sexy oh be still my beating heart)
Anyways back in the room its great to still see so much of him esp after all the POP promotion he has being doing lately.
Oh & i wont be able to focus on work if i dont comment on Jakes arms in the gym pictures - wow they are looking good not as big as Dastan but still very nice, i like nice arms esp Jakes.

xx

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Good morning! Great weather for ducks.

Yeay! BBMISwear is back! Hope you enjoyed the weekend away :D Enjoy catching up with Jake. And thanks xx

Hi 1:43! Indeed - football or baseball lessons would be a help as we work it out. Jake should give us some clues... But this kind of work out does suggest Jake is motivated by something in particular rather than just general fitness. Hmmm. I do agree that Jake has rhythm :D

Hi T! I want to seew Jake all rugged on the motorbike too! Jake - please, hear us! Oh yes, jake has beautiful arms and they look in great shape to me here :D

Have a good day everyone. I'm struggling a little today with hayfever nosebleeds - ugh :(

Anonymous said...

He sleep with same clothes that he walk on street!!!

Gatling said...

Hi WDW! i've been Jake fan since 5 years ago but i just found out this site like 2 weeks ago -_-" and i found out u'r site is AWESOME!! thanks for always sharing and updating :) i felt like Jake having a little sort of movie in the past year.. hopefully all his new movies coming continuously soon.

Btw, what is this Tshirt that he wore every time he goes to the gym? he seems like he has dozen of it. hahaha. what is Goodness mfg?

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi 11:05 :D Jake does love his t-shirts!

Hi Gatling and welcome! Glad you found me at long last :D I hope you enjoy going back and seeing some of the stuf fhere too - been some adventures along the way... I'm so glad you like the site!

Goodness mfgis a marketing agency in Hollywood. Jake's had that t-shirt quite a while :D

TD said...

Hi WDW

Thank the gods for this site, cheers me up every time. Boy they really are digging into him on the critics front now aren't they? All the little digs: eg. Just Jareds' TA gym ... 'creates sexy feminine body' to Platform Online about how 'charmless' he is. Charmless?! Charmless Jake?!!! Nope, does not compute. Must be a product of fear and envy. The US has the most beautiful man on the planet - and doesn't know what to do with him! Send him here, we'll take care of him [lit]. Heh heh.

Hope your hayfever gets better soon. Does the rain help? ;)

TD

Carol said...

All these pics at the gym and that dance studio and talk about the motorbike are making me think that this is all working towards a specific project. Damn Yankees is probably the most likely one.

If there are any Jim Carrey fans out there, it would be interesting to know if he has been seen doing any preparation that could be connected to Damn Yankees aswell.

Suffering post bank holiday blues today so really liking those gym pics. I hope we will get pics with the motorbike soon.

Congrats to Gemma on her wedding. She looked fab:)

Antonia said...

haha im sooo glad Gemma got married, then she won't take Jake :P

Anonymous said...

During the POP filming Gemma had her boyfriend and Jake and Reese were together so they pretty much weren't looking for someone.

Charmless? I think someone on that site is having a problem.
This is another "level" Jake is getting to. POP might not of made the money they wanted (and they are seeming to forget the World box-office) but he was good in the movie but I think some equate movies that make big money their first week as the only thing that would call it a success.
Jake knows what he did was successful when people enjoy it. And they have.
And has he has said he's tough. He can take it. And the more popular he gets the more people who envy that. But he is already liked by so many - that's not going to change.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Glad to be of service, TD! I love it when you pop by :D These people are just jealous and probably all secretly mad for Jake. Charmless is not a word I would put in the same sentence as JG!

Thanks... there's something horrible out there in the pollen right now that is doing bad things to me. The rain doesn't seem to make any difference. Maybe I'm allergic to work.

Hi Carol! Sorry to hear about the post-holiday blues. Jake should be seen out and about on his motorbike just to cheer us up.

Jim Carrey only seems interested in going BOING at the moment... I hope that's not in practice for DY!

Hi Antonia! That's so funny :D She and Jake do have great chemistry in PoP :D

Hi 12:51 :D I know, it's annoying that so called critics and commentators are happily ignoring the international box office. I bet the vast majority of people who see this film, with no previous knowledge of Jake, are gonna walk away loving him and charmed by him. How could they not?

TD said...

Dear WDW,
Major compliment as it is from you! Many thanks. I do so love POPping by too.

Feel better soon!

TD

TD said...

BTW, I was meaning to tell you, I discovered a Twi-hard here at work and we were comparing 'the Pale One' and Jake. I said there was no contest...and she agreed! Said 'Jake was indeed gorgeous'. Could've knocked me down with a feather - not what I expected from a Twihard !

TD

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Thanks TD *) Ooh blimey, a Jake-lovig Twihard. You'd have thought he was too healthy looking for them :D

Carol said...

All those nasty comments people leave on Jared, E online and other sites are from people who are really jealous. They probably all secretly love Jake too. If you don't like somebody or their work you wouldn't be bothered passing the time of day about them. I try not to read those comments most of the time but sometimes they make me see red.

I think PoP has done really well overall and have my fingers crossed for a sequel. At the end of the day the opinion of critics may be informative but no more important than anyone elses. All the times I've been to see PoP everyone has enjoyed it and at the end of the day that's what matters.

Sorry for the rant but I'm in that kind of mood today. I think the mood might lift if we got some motorcycle pics soon:)

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Fortunately, I do my best to avoid those comments too, Carol. They're often just plain nasty and attention seeking. I don't see any point in it either.

I think motorbike pics are just what what we need :DD

Monica said...

Wow, Cathy, just read the news they are written on these sites to know what kind of audience will attend these places!
I no longer access these places.

The film is a success here in Brazil and I have received some players from Prince of Persia on my forum. They loved the film and the performance of Jake Gyllenhaal.
It is a new audience for Jake.

Anonymous said...

I've got my fingers crossed for a sequel too. :)

Gemma looked lovely on her wedding day.

Bertie

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Hi Monica - that is great news about PoP's success in Brazil and you're doing a great job of promoting it there :D

Hi there Bertie! Gemma looked absolutely gorgeous :D

Unknown said...

hello everyone,
sorry to hear about your hayfever wdw, hope it clears up soon.
i was just reading everyones posts regarding jakes critics and my theory is that they (the critics) dont know what to make of him. up until now jake has always potrayed 'dark', 'serious' characters who were driven by some sort of goal and were very 2 dimensional. his performances were excellant, we know it and the critics know it and somehow the critics shut jake away in a box labelled 'serious and troubled acting roles only'
now hes done atotal 180, where the movie is different to what they are used to and jake has totally transformed himself into a different person (isnt that the point-hes an actor for goodness sake)and the critics cant handle it cos jakes performance in pop was evrybit as good as his other performances in other movies.
its the critics who typecast...jim carrey can only do comedy, matt damon - action....jake has proved hes an all rounder and the thing that has cinched it for me (and i am not being bias) is his british accent. for me the test to prove the great actors from the good is when they do a bristish accent and jakes is brilliant. not just in pop but when he mimics mike newel and sir beN,...HE IS SPOT ON!! now that is the sign of a good, no sorry a GREAT actor.

sorry to have gone on a bit.

Wet Dark and Wild said...

Thanks Sabina :) I absolutely agree with you and well put! It is true that it's these critics who want to put Jake into a clearly defined category - I believe he does puzzle them. And while his fans enjoy and are excited by his range, critics seem to find it harder to deal with. He makes them think. Jake wanted to make a fun blockbuster, the type of movie he loves himself, and he's done wonders with Dastan. And he'll do wonders with his characters in LAOD and SC. Jake is not limited.

I've said this from the very beginning - a big big reason why I am such a big fan of Jake's is that he has continued to keep me guessing with his roles and it's been quite a journey. Jake's choices fascinate me. I've learned so much about movies because of his brave choices. I love the journey.

It's great hearing your comments and views, chaps :)