Source Code, the TV Series, and Maggie Gyllenhaal at TIFF

When Jake Gyllenhaal read the script of Source Code and immediately knew he wanted to do it, getting Duncan Jones on board to develop and direct the project, Jake showed he can spot a good thing. So much so,  Source Code producer Mark Gibson has now sold a TV version to CBS. All credit is due to writer Ben Ripley, Duncan and Jake for putting something together that caught an awful lot of imaginations and has spurred a whole TV series of potential sci fi scenarios. The Hollywood Reporter revealed last night:

"Like the film on which it is based, the action/procedural follows three former federal agents who are part of a top-secret program. Each week, they'll use "Source Code" technology to jump into the consciousness of people involved in tragic events. 

Gordon (Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds) will produce the project, with Vendome Pictures' Philippe Rousselet serving as a consulting producer. Steve Maeda (Lie to Me, Lost) is on board to write."

Duncan and Jake may have given Source Code the lift off it needed to sell it to the small screen but that appears to be the end of their involvement with it.

My initial reaction to the news was that the premise of Source Code worked very well in a tightly structured and intelligent film but I couldn't see how it could retain its originality and interest over a full series. Especially without seeming to be a remake of the wonderful Quantum Leap, to which the film played homage with its inclusion of Scott Bakula. I'd be interested to know what you think!


Maggie at TIFF

Last night, the gala for Hysteria took place at the Toronto International Film Festival and Maggie Gyllenhaal looked absolutely stunning and happy in a long white lace gown with sandals. You can see video of the event here.

The interview below was also recorded yesterday.

The more I hear about this film, the more I am desperate to see it!






Photos from IHJ and Toronto Life.

Source Code's 'river of time' and SC screens in Japan

Source Code isn't released in Japan until 28 October but a couple of nights ago the film received its first premiere screening in the country. It sounds like Source Code was very well received and Duncan Jones has tweeted that he will be in Japan soon - for the opening? Many thanks to Rintaro Watanabe for the photo from the screening.


As is the way with film releases, as a movie opens in one country, it can already be released on DVD elsewhere. To mark the release of Source Code on DVD and blu ray in the UK, In Style has released a video which contains snippets in which Jake Gyllenhaal, writer Ben Ripley, producer Jordan Wynne and an astrophysicist explain the meaning of the source code. Watch closely - there may be a test later.

New images from Source Code - 'the biggest train set you can play with'

There are new images today from Source Code thanks to Empire who have published a six-page spread on the film, including new interviews with director Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley.


We learn that Duncan and Jake Gyllenhaal worked together on Ripley's script, creating in Colter 'a lost soul'. Duncan tells us that over the course of the film Colter 'finds out more about who he is and how he fits into the reality he's found himself in. I suppose if there is any kind of a tie between Moon and Sourc Code, that's probably it. I think there's something very personal to me about that. Because, like I said in the BAFTA speech, it took me such a long time to do that. I think I find those kinds of stories appealing - at least at this point in my life.'


Ripley's initial script - he was inspired by the line 'You're writing a film about a soldier returning home' - was on the heavy side and Duncan and Jake worked on lightening it. Duncan: 'It's got that quirkiness, that sort of serious thriller aspect but still all these little humorous moments, so hopefully the balance is right.' Ripley found the results 'a delightful surprise' and noted on set how Duncan 'was extremely focussed on the actors'.


Duncan speaks of his cast: 'They're all incredibly talented actors and all come with their ideas... I can't speak for other directors, but for myself, if you hire good actors: let them do it. If you're hiring incredibly talented people to do their job, let them do it the way they think it needs to be done. I really believe that a director's job is to get the best out of the people around him, not to impose his views on everyone.'


I loved reading how Duncan Jones was inspired to make movies by visiting the set of Labyrinth, which starred his father David Bowie. 'I remember being on the set of that. It was massive. So much fun. I got to run around the goblin village that they built. It was vast - so cool! I remember, as a kid being able to sort of look at that and see how on a film you can actually create what's in your imagination. I think that had a huge impact. Being a kid in your own imagination is terrific.'

'That should be the tagline for Source Code: it's the biggest train set you can play with!'


Empire confirms the joint UK/US release date of 1 April and says it will have a review in the next issue.

And finally...

I am thrilled to announce that I will be holding the fort over at ManMadeMovies for a few days. Many thanks to them. Post number 1 went up this evening!

Images from Empire and scans by WDW.

Jake Gyllenhaal 20 metres tall - it must be IMAX! Jake's Easter visit to WonderCon, SF, and stuff...

Lots to get through... Hmmm, where to start? How about Prince of Persia is going to show in IMAX! This means that this May I will be able to see a 20 metre tall Jake Gyllenhaal on the screen. Admittedly, this may cause cricked neck issues, it may cause a swirly head and giddiness, it may make one not able to walk in a straight line afterwards. However, these side effects are a small price to pay for getting so close up to this...


and this....


and this...


Yes! Never before have we have seen such close ups of medieval Persian jewellery and armour!

Oh and we'll also get close ups of these three. This is the new American poster for Prince of Persia which, as Latino here points out, shows Jake, Gemma Arterton and Sir Ben Kingsley staring in different directions. Latino also remind us that some lucky ******** (insert word of choice) will be seeing Prince of Persia in its entirety at ShoWest in Vegas next week. The poster comes courtesy of UGO. May I say that I have Sir Ben Fear...?


There's a question on everyone's lips - where is the place to spend Easter this year? I have the answer for you: San Francisco! And that's because of WonderCon 2010. At 12.15 on Saturday 3 April 'Join Jerry Bruckheimer (producer), Mike Newell (director), Jake Gyllenhaal (actor, "Prince Dastan"), and Jordan Mechner (screen story, game creator), as they take the WonderCon stage to show an exclusive sneak peak from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time before its May 28 release. Set in the mystical lands of Persia, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an epic action-adventure about a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) who race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.' Thanks to BBMISwear for the headsup :-)


Trying to catch up with videos from the Oscars, here are two: Jake and Maggie and then Mr Blue Eyes.




Talking of the Oscars, they may be over with for one year but the eyes of some are already on next year. Jeff Wells has already speculated on a possible favourite: 'Just recently I heard from a guy — and I’m persuaded by reading the script — about a film called “Love and Other Drugs,” with a performance by Anne Hathaway as a Parkinson’s-inflicted woman. Sounds like it’s got the stuff.' It definitely has The Stuff - and it has Jake in it too...


And finally...

The suggestion that Jake Gyllenhaal could have been in Valentines Day, a film tied to one weekend: 'Jake Gyllenhaal and Orlando Bloom both turned down the role of Holden, which went to Bradley Cooper.' Another very sensible movie decision from Jake.


Includes pictures from links and IHJ.

Catching up with Jake Gyllenhaal - twizzlers, pie plates, Ask Jake, bands, Parkour, stuff

This is a bitty post because, you know how it is, you have a weekend away in Austin, Texas, and then there's all the catching up to do. So I've made a Jaking List:


1). Let's get the important stuff out of the way. Here below we have Jake Gyllenhaal with a red stick thing. A source informs me that this alarming object is actually a food item. It is known as a 'twizzler'. In the UK, twizzlers are an abomination - they are made from turkey and have been the subject of a major 'get them banned before they kill us' campaign. I am hoping that the bright red variety is a lot better for Jake than the twisty turkey type.


2). We've had a chance to ask Jerry Bruckheimer our PoP questions on Facebook (and I'm still thrilled they picked one of mine), but now, for a few hours, you can ask the Prince himself! You have til 10pm, London time, to get your questions in for Jake. No mention yet of when the video answers will air. 'Jake, do you regularly eat twizzlers?'

3). Jake's Mellow Johnny's cycling hat, complemented by his friend's shirt, reminds me of a new post at Bike Snob, in which the writer and cyclist waxes lyrical over why he so happy to be in posession of Jake's pie plate.


4). Jake and his friends moved on from sport to music last night and went to see Mumford & Sons play the Troubadour. Not surprisingly, this set Jake's fellow boppers atwittering with tweets congratulating Jake on both his music taste and his hotness. It's not only sportsmen falling at Jake's feet...


5). And continuing the music theme, on Friday 19 February, a video for the new single by Vampire Weekend will premiere on Channel 4 in the UK and, we're assured, it features a Jake Gyllenhaal cameo! 'Exclusive first play of Vampire Weekend's new single Giving Up the Gun, which features cameos from Jake Gyllenhaal and Joe Jonas in the video.' It plays at 22:50 on Rude Tube. I must admit to being intrigued and not a little perplexed. So that's one to watch. Thanks to Karen for the heads up!

6). In a fascinating and revealing interview, writer Ben Ripley discusses the momentum that has propelled Source Code into production...


7)... while Parkour king David Belle talks about bringing parkour into the movies, including Prince of Persia: 'The idea is you move around with the actor to see where his limits are. How much can he do? I can do this. It is up to you as the coordinator to determine where those limits are and whether he needs to be substituted with a stuntman, whether it is a risk that he can handle or not. Unless he is really comfortable with it, it is probably better for him to be substituted with a stunt guy. Now, in the case of Prince of Persia, Jake prepared himself well physically and he was able to do a lot of stuff himself. '


8). Sir Ben Kingsley was on The One Show this evening and he was asked about Shutter Island and not Prince of Persia! What a travesty...

So what have I missed off my list? Oh yes, Jake is hot.


Includes pictures from IHJ.