Although Jerry tells us that not too much filming was left over, "There’s actually a scene that we didn’t use, as you’ll see,” says producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “[Director] Mike [Newell] was very economical in his shooting, so there weren’t that many [extra scenes]. But we always add things that are fun and interesting for you guys to look at [for home video].”
'“The chief thing about a Bruckheimer movie is it never stands still, and it’s got all this stuff in it,” Newell says. “It’s got romance, it’s got action, it’s got mystery, it’s got comedy, it’s got dancing, it’s got everything all whirled up into this wonderful kind of entertainment soup. That’s what I thought we should be making.” If anything, Newell was adding layer upon layer to scenes for the movie, not cutting them out. “I was looking at certain things, saying, ‘You know what? I know he’s doing that, but in a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, people never do only one thing at one time. There’s always kind of simultaneous action going on like that, so what else should he be doing?’” Newell says. “It was never a set of rules, and it was never, ‘What would Jerry want?’ It was like making a cowboy movie. This is what happens in cowboy movies.”' Source. (Maybe not all cowboy movies.)
If Avatar is to be re-released with an extra few minutes depicting Na'vi hanky-panky in the woods, then I think the least we deserve for Prince of Persia is a little bit more of the flirtation between Dastan and Tamina and maybe a few more moments of the two trapped in the sandstorm tent. Either that, or the obligatory shower scene that we expect and demand in all Jake's films these days, since having insisted it be written into his contract back in the days of the Brothers shoot. Failing all that, I'd settle for more ostriches. And a commentary. And behind the scenes features. And blooper reel. Not that I'm demanding at all... And the tale of the escaped scorpion at Pinewood - that must merit a feature.
Perplexing film with rabbits
Another of Jake's movies has been in the news today. Readers of LoveFilm have been voting in their thousands to reveal the top 10 most perpexing films ever. While, Vanilla Sky (reasonably perplexing) is at no. 1 and Mulholland Drive (utterly perplexing and completely unfathomable) is at no. 2, Donnie Darko is third. Obviously, after having seen both versions countless times, having read the book, and a large number of perplexing interviews with Jake and Richard Kelly on the movie, I can almost explain it to you - but don't ask me about the rabbit and its relationship to Maggie's boyfriend.
Here is the rest of the perplexing list:
1. Vanilla Sky (2001)
2. Mulholland Drive (2001)
3. Donnie Darko (2001)
4. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
5. Memento (2000)
6. 12 Monkeys (1995)
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
9. Revolver (2005)
10. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Some are indeed more perplexing than others, while others are about black obelisks in space.
As for Donnie Darko, Jake said (in his foreword to Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko book) 'What is Donnie Darko about? I have no idea, at least not a conscious one...no one - including the man from whose mind it emerged - ever had a simple answer to that question. And that, ironically, is the very thing the film is actually about. There is no single answer to any question.'
A hero's fabric
Clothes on Film published a fascinating interview with Penny Rose, the resourceful designer of the Prince of Persia costumes and it gives us some more insight into Jake's role in determining the shape and fit of his costumes. It's a matter of give and take between designer and actor.
'When it came to Jake’s costume, I found an original piece of Persian embroidery probably seven or eight hundred years old. We used it as inspiration to create his signature coat. It took a week for each one to have the material made. But with all the action, smoke and stunts, it has a great identity to it and you will know it is Dastan in that scene.'
A favourite costume? 'Yes, Dastan’s spiral coat. I was like a terrier, so determined it would have a very special identity. It is the plainest and least leathery but it is quite iconic and Jake loves it, so we are both happy. Before I met Jake, I wanted to use it and felt it was a good hero fabric, but if he hadn’t liked it, I’d have gotten rid of it. It is vital to me that the actor likes what they are wearing and feels comfortable in it.'
'Our clothing is a nod to the games. When I did Evita with Madonna, I made a great point of not seeing the stage play. I wanted to go off on our own little route with no influences. The game in this is obviously what the film is spun from but inspiration is not the word I’d use. But it is a guideline. When you’re working from a video game, the characters are one-dimensional. Although they move within the game, there isn’t any textile flow. So I felt it important to add that to it. With Jake’s leather vest, he wanted it shortened because he felt it would get in his way. I stood my ground on that. When you are moving you need the length and flapping, it looks dramatic. If I’d have shortened it, then he would have been just another guy with long legs on the move.' Much more here and it's well worth the read.
Includes pictures from Disney and IHJ.
