It is an increasing pleasure to listen to Love and Other Drugs director and writer Ed Zwick talk about his new movie and in this video of a recent roundtable with Ed he tells us some more about what drew him to his leading man, Jake Gyllenhaal: 'Jake is a deeply charming, flirtatious, funny, smart, sexy guy and...' 'Agreed' [confirms the questioner to much laughter]. 'But I think in some sense he's held that back a little bit for some of the parts and has not demonstrated that.'
On the nudity: 'From the very beginning they really understood that that was in the DNA of the material. That in my experience when two young people get together and they're really involved and attracted to one another, they spend a lot of the time naked in bed. We wanted to give that the same level of authenticity as the drugs or the disease or anything else and to be coy and have the sheets pulled up I think would be a kind of violation of the truth and the authenticity of the relationship.'
Getting it done: 'We didn't have a lot of time. Everybody took a quarter of their salary to make this movie. We made it for $30 million. We shot in 49 days and so we had rehearsal and the rehearsal was very free and then once we shot it there wasn't a lot of time to mess around.
Shifting premieres
It had been thought that Love and Other Drugs would have its American premiere at the AFI Film Festival in November but, while that screening may well prove more glittery, it seems that the CMJ music and film festival has grabbed the premiere honour with its screening taking place in New York on 19 October.
Update: Meanwhile, the publicity machine for Love and Other Drugs may be heating up. Yesterday a stylist tweeted: 'On my way to a photo shoot with Jake Gyllenhaal!' Another very lucky person said: 'I'm totally standing next to Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhal and I am totally Freaking out.'
Jake at the BO
Jake meanwhile has made EW's list of the Top 50 Most Powerful Entertainers at 46. His Box Office total is quoted as being $1.4 billion, with his last three films making $405.1 million. The average weekend opening is $25.6 million and the average opening of the last three films $14.6 million. 'Viable leading men under 30 are hard to ind, but Gyllenhaal has crafted an enviable career consisting of global blockbusters Prlnce of Persia: The Sands of Time) and critical darlings (Brokeback Mountain).' Topping the list was Johnny Depp with Lady GaGa second and Oprah Winfrey third. There's more information here and thanks to BBMISwear for the scan.
Cranky in the mornings
I'm delighted to sat that there are more snippets from Saturday, this time about Jake and Maggie's big Oscar night. Apparently, Jake 'said he was in the middle of shooting a film but rushed to be by his sister's side when she was nominated for an Academy Award for "Crazy Heart" earlier this year. "Had I missed out on that moment that would have been awful," Gyllenhaal said. "I got no sleep and was a cranky person, but I was there and that was what mattered to me." He added, "Anyway, I love her a lot."' Jake cranky in the mornings? Something else we have in common... More here.
As for Jake himself, he took his Face Pet and a backpack and a date to New York City ballet's autumn gala on Thursday night. Tweets reported that he was not keen to be photographed, possibly because he didn't want to get done for breaking the dresscode. Natalie Portman was also there. Yesterday someone else said: 'I saw Jake Gyllenhaal at the coffee shop this morning. I smiled at him. He smiled at me. I have a feeling everything is going to be okay.' I know that feeling, it's a good one.
Includes pictures from IHJ, W and WDW.
39 comments:
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Thank you for the post, WDW.
I like Jake's relationship with his sister Maggie. It so sweet that he left movie set to be with her. Was it the same Oscar nomination when he almost poisoned his niece with pancakes? That was funny story.
And to say publicly that he loves Maggie that so absolutely wonderful. He's so great!
I'm a big sister myself, and I love my brother, though in our childhood we were fighting. And we never said to each other or to the other people that we love each other. Well it's still time till we live :)
Hm, what a pity we don't have the pictures from Ballet night. But as much I regret, I accept his rights to refuse. Maybe he didn't want to show his friend or like someone said - she didn't want that pictures to be taken.
Interview with Ed Zwick is long and interesting. Though I didn't understand everything :). So thank you WDW for that commentary. It's easier to read. Ed has always nice words about Jake. And he explained to us cleverly the reason for so much nudity. :)I'm glad that were some reason to it. I can't wait to see Jake in hot moments. I wonder how he acts this, and how much did they show. Merkins!:)
Hi WDW,
Great interview with Mr. Zwick. The movie sounds wonderful and true, and I can't wait to see it!
Bertie
About Jake and Maggie. From the stories I've heard about them growing up and "performing" for family, I think it must have been a hoot to be in their home! I made a video called "Family Man" which happened to show a lot of pics of the siblings, and someone commented that it was "a little too inappropriate for brother and sister...". Was it the choice of song? It made me feel bad. As an only child, I envy their special bond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlarIsFwdb4
No, I thought the video was lovely. All I see when I watched it was a brother and sister, in the pics you chose they could be twins. The choice of song is fine - it sounds like a song from a father to his child. You can't please everyone, so I wouldn't worry. :)
No gyllenhaalisgr8, it was not inappropriate at all. Your little film was warm and showed how close Maggie and Jake sibling were together. Music was ok for me. And some of the pictures I saw for the first time. Good job!
I always like to "wake up" to your posts WDW ... :D tho after I had such a real fealt dream of a Jake/Jared L. as one person (nope no sex you dirtybirdies :) ) I wouldn't have mind to sleep longer ;)
gyllenhaalisgr8 I really liked that video - and didn't find the song inappropriate (but I might've consider it a lovers love song hearing it without the video)
-on the only child: I'm not so much an only child, my halfbrother is 9 yrs older and we at best ignore eachother....
Hello everyone :D
Hi Mermon - yes, that was the same event. Cranky and bad pancakes :D I think for the ballet event, Jake was just there as a private person (he clearly wasn't dressed up for it like some of the stars) and so he wasn't in the frame of mind for pictures. Which is most definitely his choice.
It's such an interesting interview with Ed, and I loved it when he's describing his favourite scene in the film.
Hey Bertie! Great to see you!!
Hi Gyllenhaalisgr8 :D I imagine it being a fiercely competitve household but Jake and Maggie now have something extraordinarily special - I've never experienced it either but I'm very glad Jake has. I'll take a look at your video :)
Hi 15:02 :)
Thanks Sasha!
I hope everyone's having a good day :D
I don't know if "Prince of Persia" will turn out to be a classic, but there aren't a whole lot of other recent movies that will fill the bill when you are in the mood for a swashbuckling adventure film set in the ancient Middle East. I can think of only two others ("Alexander" and "Troy"), and I doubt that they would be as much fun. So, it's not a niche that all that many people want at any given time, but when they do want it, it has few competitors. That's not a bad deal.
On a non-Jake-related note, I wonder if any of the U.K. posters have heard about a sad eye injury incurred by actor David Birrell a week ago. A prop gun used in Sondheim's production of "Passion" exploded, sending a shard into Birrell's eye. Birrell has done no movies that I know of, but a lot of TV, and he was in "Spamalot." I hope his eye can be saved.
jake and natalie were both at the ballet in nyc
Among the glittery crowd were Matthew "Gossip Girl" Settle, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jake Gyllenhaal (sporting a Grizzly Adams beard) -- and Natalie Portman. Her boyfriend, principal dancer Benjamin Millepied, traded in his dancing shoes for the night and choreographed the ballet that was the program's main attraction.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/puttin_on_the_glitz_HBAKnwTa2I3CbuRRxKj7GM#ixzz11sK5NRDl
more about the ballet
True to form, his supporters included his girlfriend, Natalie Portman; the actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who paired his tuxedo with the gent’s accessory du jour, a backpack (albeit one from the North Face)
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/new-york-city-ballet-plainspoken/
Hi Paul! I did hear about Birrell - terrible. I'm not familiar with his work.
Shoe - the information about Natalie Portman being there and that link are both in the post.
Congrats on Jake for making #46! there has been some debate online as to whether Jake is labeled as an A-lister or not (I've always considered him one :D), and I hope this bit of information makes them reconsider their opinion on that! ^.^
Look what WWD tweeted too
https://twitter.com/womensweardaily/status/26699143090
Jake Gyllenhaal is sporting scruff to the gala. #jakegyllenhaal
(via ISJ-Forum)
Does that mean he shaved after train-pic???
Hi Georgie! I know, I think it's great :D
Hi Sasha - 'scruff' doesn't sound shaven to me.
Here'a good tweet from yesterday 'On my way to a photo shoot with Jake Gyllenhaal!'
Here's a tweet from yesterday of Jake and Anne together: I'm totally standing next to Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhal and I am totally Freaking out.
So NYC is getting the GyllenGoodies again! Lucky people. Anybody travelling that way with a suitcase big enough to fold teenie tiny me in? I can be very flexible if I want to. *angelic smile*
I'm enjoying all these little LAOD and NY festival treasures. Those comments from Ed Zwick are just priceless. I believe there is quite a Gyllenhaalic hidden inside him. ;-) As for the nudity comment... It's getting hot in here!!
You and me both, Lady Ekster! Imagine just coming across Jake like that... and with Anne too! Updated the post :D
VERY hot! I do like Ed.
Hi WDW , but "scruff" doesn't sound face bear to me too ... but anyway and whatever
I do hope you're right, Sasha! Fingers crossed :D. Jake certainly seems to be busy - he's just been seen buying shoes. But also if he was doing a photoshoot yesterday maybe he did 'trim' the fur :)
Hello WDW and everyone
Thanks for the rich LAOD post, WDW. It is worth watching that 15 minute clip of Ed Zwick to get more detail of the movie.
Jake and Anne took a quarter of their usual fee.They must have great faith in the writing and director. It bodes well for a top notch movie.
"deeply charming, flirtatious, funny, smart, sexy" How true. We all knew that already. One of the things I like about Jake is how at ease he is with his sexuality - for example the odd comments he makes in interviews,like joking with an interviewer when asked about viagra that 'It works just fine,' and being secure enough in himself to play gay in Brokeback Mountain, not to mention all the masturbation scenes he talked about at the New Yorker Festival. :)
Cheers
Tui
Gosh, these snippets are delicious!
TD
(ups, my bad that previous one)
Oooh a photoshoot! *claps hands frantically* I hope we'll get to see some of that soon - and without The Bear, please.
Are you guys looking forward to the LAOD promo as much as I am? I find myself giggling at the thought of endless viagra, sex and merkins chats, all of that accompanied by naugthy smiles from Jake... *swoon* I'll need a whole lot of TDAT watching to compensate for the hot winter we're going to have. ;-)
I've just re read the comments properly and I love the comments about the siblings. I agree they have a wonderful relationship and I'm hurrying over to see gyllenhaalisgr8's video asap after this. I have two lovely younger brothers who I just appreciate more in all their quirkiness as we all get older. One of them (who is in showbusiness) reminds me enormously of Jake, all the time, and is possibly one of the reasons I 'noticed' Jake in the first place!
We live in wonderful, exciting times!
TD
Hi Tui! I do agree, it definitely bodes well. And I love that Jake does that. And it's not for the first time. And I absolutely love Jake's frankness - it's not something that comes naturally to an English gal but I love how Jake tackles it all headfirst :)
They are, TDelighted - love that! And I would have loved a brother. Not to be unfortunately.
Lady Ekster, YES!!! I cannot wait for LAOD!
I've spent an evening with SHutter Island - really good! So I've written about it at MB.
I do believe the song, "Smile", WAS from a father to his daughter, by Uncle Kracker....
I agree with your assessment, WDW - Leo has come into his own as an actor. :)
I haven't commented recently but I've been reading! Unfortunately I don't get here until later at night sometimes and I'm too tired to make much sense in a comment.
Thank you for sharing that terrific round table discussion with Ed Zwick, WDW! I love what he had to say except I disagree with one thing: "Jake is a deeply charming, flirtatious, funny, smart, sexy guy and...but I think in some sense he's held that back a little bit for some of the parts and has not demonstrated that.' I have seen charming, flirtatious, funny, smart and sexy in every single one of Jake's movie roles. But maybe that's just me - ha ha! And I've seen LAOD and he is right - Jake is all these things and more in this movie! Jake was all these things and more when I sat with him at lunch too. :-) I guess this is just a damn good description of the guy (thanks Ed)!
I also like that what Ed describes here about the nudity and scenes in bed is very similar to what I said in one of my comments right after I saw LAOD (so I'm glad I made a bit of sense after all)! I remember someone saying they read a complaint on line of "too much sex" and I rebutted with when two 20-something people are dating and extremely attracted to each other they are going to have a lot of sex. It's just a fact of life. Maybe some people didn't experience that at that age or are too old and forget what it was like at that time in their life but for most of us that is what it is. I'm glad Ed said if he did it another way it 'would be a kind of violation of the truth' because I think that is true.
I wonder if the CMJ fest is really a 'premiere' (i.e. actors, director, etc. attending) or just an advance screening. If they all attend at least we'll get some pictures!
The sightings have been fun, huh? I love the idea of Jake and Anne at Franny's and I can imagine a conversation discussing publicity commitments and how much merkins talk Anne is comfortable with Jake getting into - ha ha! I, personally, am looking forward to more merkins talk! Oh...and a photo shoot?! Whooooowheeee! Bring it on! Note to Entertainment Weekly: A Cover Photo of Jake and Anne would be more than perfect. Please get on it ASAP. Thank you.
Thanks again, WDW, for always having fun, interesting and up to the minute posts. I love them all!
:-)
Sorry for all the deleted comments WDW! You may want to just go in and remove those if you can! I kept getting error messages from blogger and my comment was not there so I tried a few times and then suddenly my comment was there 5 times!! I think blogger is on drugs (and I don't mean Love and Other).
Sorry again...only wanted to comment once! :-)
And in other Jake news....my assistants know how much I'm looking forward to LAOD so we got these mini-onesheets (mini poster versions of the big one) in and decided to decorate my entire office with them. So when I walked in BAM they were everywhere :) Ok...I know...not really Jake news...
I have a suspicion that Jake grew the beard to get our attention and maybe amuse us (and himself) for a while. No real harm done, and when we all look back at this period, we'll have a handy tag for it: this was when Jake was going around with a face pet.
I'm glad that "Love and Other Drugs" is being shown at prestigious film festivals. That shows how much confidence the producers have in it.
Hello everyone! Been a busy day - out in Oxford at the museum, brekkie, and then The Social Network.
Waves to Gyllenhaalisgr8!
Thanks 01:51 - and he has :)
Yeay, BBMISwear! Thanks for such a fab comment :-) and in triplicate too :D I totally agree - we've seen that Jake about quite a bit although watching some films I wish the directors had made more use of him. It sounds like I won't be disappointed with LAOD. And too much sex, too much nudity? Does not compute. And yes, that's life and that's love.
Wouldn't it be great to see some more of Jake and Anne together in the magazines? I'd love that :D
I'm thinking that the glitzy premiere will be at the AFI.
Blogger is a pain in the mum - it does that to me too sometimes but I have the luxury of hiding multiple posts :D I'll remove a couple!
What a fabulous thing for them to do Mel! Working with Jake everywhere you look. It might distract me a little bit...
Hi Paul! Yes, we'll look back on this as the Face Pet Period and Jake will laugh :D
Anne looked absolutely great in her "It Gets Better" video. I hope we do see some pics of Anne and Jake together. :)
Me too, 15:35 :D
Post a Comment