Jake Gyllenhaal on how Heath Ledger always inspires him to want to be a better actor - and some fun and games

I know I hide it well, but Jake Gyllenhaal is my favourite actor - yes, he is. My affection for Jake Gyllenhaal may be lowkey and rarely mentioned but, as is well documented, my favourite director is less of a secret - David 'is it really possible for a director to be this hot and sexy and talented and tall all at the same time?' Fincher. And so, you could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw the new old photos on IHJ today, which not only show Jake and David sharing a joke at Eden Roc in May 2007 (the 'too posh for credit cards' hotel that they stayed at during the Cannes Film Festival), they show Jake and David roaring with laughter.





They also show Jake's a dab hand at Charades...



... and Hide and Seek.


The photos also prove true that well known adage - do not let a man eat when he has just put on a clean shirt. At least he's not trying to lick it off... (knowing aside to Mr WDW).



Open, friendly, bright eyes...

In this German interview, we are blessed with a new picture of Jake from when he was in London for Prince of Persia and I can only say that I have stared at this photograph much longer than is polite. What a stunner! And I like the introductory description: 'athletic, toned, not an ounce of fat, but not too muscular. Not a giant. He is very polite, friendly, has good manners. An open expression, friendly, bright eyes.'


Q: Were you surprised that they offered you the role?
JG: Sort of. At first glance, I'm not the obvious candidate for the role. That was the exciting thing.

Q: Had you longed for such a blockbuster role?
JG: Yes. No, really. I've long wanted to have a role in an action movie. I grew up with movies like ET that are now classics that have changed the film industry. They inspired me, which I loved. When I started making films, I was just cool. With age, I also wanted to have more fun and go back to the things that I loved as a child.


Q: Do you have a favorite action hero?
JG: I love Indiana Jones. He is THE action hero for me. Because he suffers, and is frustrated, and there's humor - but in the end he comes through.

Q:There are scenes from Prince of Persia which remind me a bit of Johnny Depp's Captain Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean" ...
JG: Oh, really? That wasn't intentional. But I hear you. I take that as a compliment.


Q: What's your next film?
JG: After this I played a pharmaceutical representative in the mid-90s who sells Viagra.

Q:Are you still single?
JG: Yes, I am.



Q: But you plan to start a family at some point?
JG: Definitely.

Q: What does the ring on your finger say?
JG: I've had that a long time. It says Carpe diem (seize the day). It's a kind of reminder. (He laughs)


Q: Do you think that your fans will react with surprise or shock at the action hero Jake Gyllenhaal when for many of them they have the image of the gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain" in their heads?
JG: I hope both. I always hope. I enjoy criticism just as much as compliments. Of course, such a great movie isn't aimed at the whole audience. Many of the gamers who played the original Prince of Persia may have asked themselves: What type of guy is in this movie? And I think if some people have an image of you, who you are, what you act like - and then he does this, then at least it gives him an opportunity to change the attitude of many.


Q: Your friend and "Brokeback" co-star Heath Ledger died in 2008.Has your view of life changed since?
JG: It sounds kind of funny that what I had focused on so far that had become so important, became even more important in my life. I refer to my work. It was even more important because I felt that what Heath had done was so extraordinary and inspiring. So I always want to be a better actor. On the other side of me as a human being, it was clear that it's just my job. I think that - mainly in the film industry - there are people who think that they will never grow old, never die. Heath has gone from us much too soon. I've noticed a distinction between work and life.


Source and more here.

This week on MV

Sightings show that Jake's visit to LA was indeed a fleeting (business?) trip and he was quick to return to MV. On Wednesday, he went to the weekly film festival viewing along with Peter and Maggie: 'On Wednesday, Caroline Kennedy, "Jarhead" star Jake Gyllenhaal, his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal and her husband Peter Sarsgaard checked out "The Tillman Story," Amir Bar-Lev's documentary about the death of pro-football-player-turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman that hits theaters this month. The film, which looks into the military's cover-up of Tillman's death from friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004, was hosted by Russell Baer, a soldier in Tillman's platoon, at the Chilmark Community Center in Martha's Vineyard. And a source at the screening tells us that Jake, hung around "to meet Baer" after the screening.


More recently, Jake was seen at Nancy's restaurant in Oaks Bluffs yesterday. This is one of the many restaurants that BBMISwear and I managed to experience in our short stay on the island (we stayed in Oaks Bluffs) and we were there as it reeled from the visit of the first family the evening before, an event which was plastered all over the local paper. We kept our visit lowkey...

Many thanks to IHJ for the new old pics, other pics from links and WDW.