Disney's PoP DVD promotion continues and Mike Newell on Jake Gyllenhaal: 'a devastating emotional actor'

Disney's promotion of the DVD and Bu-Ray release of Prince of Persia continues - making me wonder once more that the abundance of videos and behind the scenes snippets they've given us over the last year is the reason why there aren't many extras on the DVD. There can't be much left.... except for that gag reel? The video of Jake Gyllenhaal from the last post was just the latest in a series of featurettes released by Disney this month. Many thanks to Monica for the heads up!








In the videos you will not only enjoy Jake and Gemma Arterton, you will also find the gorgeous Toby Kebbell and Gisli Orn Gardarsson talking about their characters - in Toby's case: throwing Jake around the set.



Tamara Drew is about to hit the theatres and in this, of course, Gemma Arterton leads. Its release on 10 September in the UK coincides with the Prince of Persia DVD and so she has been speaking a little more about the film: '“The whole scale of Prince of Persia was out of this world. When we were in Marrakesh before we started filming they took me to visit the set for the kingdom where my character, Tamina, lives. It was unbelievable. There were streets you could walk around and palaces and fortresses and market squares. And I was thinking, ‘I’m playing the princess of this place, just little old me’. It’s humbling because after everybody’s done all this work, you think, well, now I really have to come up with the goods. The princess is a bit of a tomboy sometimes, and she even has to pretend to be a sort of fictional 6th century cocktail waitress at one point. I’ve also got some great costumes with henna tattoos and jewels in my hair and things like that. I’m the only girl in the film, so I have to try to look good.”'



'When told she had the part, she said: “It was surreal. I just sat there on my bed not quite taking it in. It’s weird to think you’re going to be a princess.” And she gets to kiss Gyllenhaal, saying: “My friends were always asking if I kiss him. And I say, ‘Yes, I do, so there!’ They’re all wildly jealous.”'



Back in the days of Rock'n'Rolla, Toby Kebbell talked to Little White Lies about his new project: 'I’m doing Prince of Persia, playing a Prince of Persia, head of the Persian army and I’ve got a brother who’s going to be the future king if our father dies. Then there’s Jake Gyllenhaal who’s the Prince of Persia (from the title). It’s great. We’re shooting in Morocco and it’s hot and continuous days. I’m in a full set of armour it’s tough, but it’s great too. I get to learn to ride a horse, it’s phenomenal. It’s the hardest work I’ve done – that’s like moaning about my diamond shoes being too tight – but it’s great fun to do. I do all the things you wanted to do as a kid – wear armour, scream around the place and so on. I’m loving it really.'



Richard Coyle, who, in the words of Jonathan Ross alone, played the other ugly brother (Tus), talked about how the pressure was all on Jake her: 'The pressure off aspect is clearly a part because I’m part of an ensemble behind Jake Gyllenhaal really. I just get behind his huge frame. No, it’s pressure off because it’s Jake’s thing but also to be honest the movie is the star of the movie. What I try to do, whatever I’m going into whether it’s a piece of TV or a film or a play, it’s very important to me to get the tone right, to know the tone that I’m going into. So I spent a lot of the time getting my head around that. Once I’d nailed the tone I knew that the movie was going to be the star of the movie, and Jake Gyllenhaal, obviously, and it did take the pressure of. But also it was a challenge – It’s an opportunity for me to make an impact so there’s a pressure that you put on yourself in a way, in that sense. But the whole question of pressure and who’s the star of the movie is a fallacy because these films are all about big business; it’s a big, huge business juggernaut and you’ve all got to come up with the goods – you’ve got to do the business. So there is a pressure regardless.'



To finish with the words of director Mike Newell about his star: 'I thought Jake was perfect for the main role from the very beginning because he is such a devastating emotional actor. He is so open and available, especially in movies like Brokeback Mountain. I’d actually known Jake since he was a little boy. I knew his parents very well and I had worked with his sister, so I kept my eye on him growing up. I knew he had a wonderful sense of humour and he’s got a zany laugh. I also thought he looked right for the role. He’s not a royal-looking guy, but a street kid in the wrong costume. I thought that would be a great thing to have in the film.'



Here is a link to the entire playlist.

If you want to see more of Gisli, here is an interview with him on the PoP set:



And some Toby while I'm about it:

Prince of Persia in Hollywood! Plus more videos of Jake Gyllenhaal, and Jake in the UK's OK (don't feed him sushi)

What a day! The barriers are built, the crowds gather, excitement mounts, the emotion wells, security gets anxious and the media gets frenzied. Yes - we have witnessed something momentous over the last few hours - Oxford United's triumphant procession through the city celebrating Sunday's win at Wembley and their return to the League! As if that's not enough excitement, we have also enjoyed another victory by the Prince of Persia team as they took on Hollywood and emerged a winner!


While we had Jon Voigt and Jonathan Pryce ready to come out in midfield if needs be, they weren't needed in the end as Jerry Bruckheimer pulled out his winning card. His star player, Jake Gyllenhaal, was not unprepared for the challenge of another red carpet in a different time zone. Oh no. I have it on the good authority of a friend in the wings (who saw Jake step out of the car and onto that hallowed fibrous scarlet turf) that Jake Gyllenhaal coordinated with the carpet and wore bright red socks. Goal!!!



I can tell you, after this, the World Cup will seem as exciting as a rained off Sunday carboot sale.


So what do we have today? After the play aways at London and Moscow we're familiar with the form. We have new photos, we have new videos, we have new magazine reports from London (at last print catches up with the internet). We have so much! I cannot even attempt to do justice to it all in one post today and so I won't try but I will say that my friend by the red carpet last night said that Jake Gyllenhaal was gorgeous and you know something? I'm fully prepared to believe her!

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

An interview from the LA red carpet in which the stars rate their jetlaggedness. If Gemma Arterton is flying back to Cannes as we speak, she may be the winner.



What follows is in no particular order because I want to get this post out this evening and not in July. But if anything's to be learned from all this PoP mayhem and madness it's this - please don't feed Jake sushi.


Please can interviewers take note that the Jellyfish Urination Story is closed. I would also like to point out that even T4 presenters should be able to deal with the plot of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. It is not Mulholland Drive.



Following the premiere in LA, Jake was seen partying with Orlando Bloom, Leo DiCaprio and a Cigar at the Teddy.

There are two videos from The Sun. One from LA and the other from London.


Gemma was flabbergasted by Jake's body: '"I was so nervous about my own work, I was just like 'oh yeah nice body' - but I remember I was flabbergasted". A reasonable response.

Jake talks some more about having to do the Brit accent - I fear that Mike Newell was not necessarily a good example...



Jake gives the shortest interview in history:



And then one of the longest...



Jake is open to appearing in a game: '"Oh yeah. Of course. It would be an honour. If other people in the games industry are anywhere near as cool as [Prince of Persia game creator and movie scriptwriter] Jordan Mechner then without a doubt. In fact, even if they're not. I'd be totally into it. Of course, it depends on what it is and what the story is - but if game makers read this, I'm interested. It's all about the story with me." And it appears Gyllenhall isn't just flirting with industry execs. When asked if he considered video games 'art', he added: "Without a doubt - it is art. This is art, you know? Following your creative instinct is art, no doubt. Yeah, there's a big business behind it and that's for sure, but for me, it's an artistic choice."'



The Hollywood interview in this week's UK OK! features Jake Gyllenhaal.



Jake's also a bit of a talking point at Heat.


Thanks very much to BBMISwear for the fab US Weekly scan.


A WDW Oxford Interlude

To finish off here are a couple of photos that show what Oxford was like today, 18 May.




Includes pictures with many thanks from IHJ, scans from WDW and completely irrelevant pics from WDW.

Updated from the red carpet! Prince of Persia World Premiere today! Watch it here and follow WDW at the red carpet!

Update: Weldome to Westfield and the Prince of Persia red carpet. As you can see, it's taken over the whole shopping centre (although one has managed to fit in a little light shopping). The trailer is being played repeatedly, the Parkour guys are practising and the pens are filling. I'm fortunate to be in a prize winner's pen at the front by the stage where the interveiws take place so this is going to be amazing! Stay tuned! Back to my cup of tea...



Morning! The day has arrived! Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton and the Prince of Persia crew are no doubt geting ready for what will be an incredible day for them and for us. You can watch the whole event in the video screen below or at the PoP Facebook page. Please follow me on Twitter as I tweet throughout the day from the red carpet in the Westfield Centre atrium and I will do my best to update the post with pictures. A full report to follow! I think I need some coffee...

Prince of Persia premiere - the schedule:

4:15pm: Warm up show
5:00pm: Stars arrive on the red carpet
5:40pm: Enjoy gravity-defying performances from some of the world’s leading Parkour & free-running athletes 3RUN
5:50pm: Alex Zane will interview the movie’s stars and filmmakers live in The Atrium. Look out for Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ben Kingsley, director Mike Newell and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Free video streaming by Ustream

You can watch the livestreaming also on the PoP Facebook page and full details at the official Prince of Persia site

Watch the Prince of Persia live chat and live streaming of the Prince of Persia premiere here

With many thanks to Disney, you can watch here the live chat that will take place with Jake Gyllenhaal and the rest of the Prince of Persia cast this Saturday afternoon at 5.30pm local time and the premiere on Sunday, with the red carpet beginning at 5pm.

Free video streaming by Ustream

More details from the press release: 'Add even more excitement to your Saturday night by joining JAKE GYLLENHAAL, GEMMA ARTERTON and SIR BEN KINGSLEY, who will be chatting to fans via a Prince Of Persia live web chat online at www.facebook.com/DisneyMoviesUK on Saturday 8th May at 5.30pm BST. Fans will be able to ask about the heart stopping stunts and sizzling chemistry from the upcoming blockbuster film, WALT DISNEY PICTURES AND JERRY BRUCKHEIMER FILMS’ PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME. Joining the cast at the PRINCE Of PERSIA live web chat will be legendary producer JERRY BRUCKHEIMER, MIKE NEWELL (Director) and JORDAN MECHNER (Writer / game creator) and consultant on the incredible Parkour sequences in the film.'

'After chatting live to the cast and filmmakers at the PRINCE OF PERSIA live web chat, fans can then be virtual guests at the spectacular World Premiere Event the following night. As the stars enter the red carpet footage of the PRINCE OF PERSIA world premiere will be streamed live online at www.facebook.com/DisneyMoviesUK on Sunday 9th May from 5.00pm BST.'

You can watch the livestreaming also on the PoP Facebook page.

Visit the official Prince of Persia site
Follow the official prince of Persia site on Twitter
Become a Facebook fan.

New pictures of Jake Gyllenhaal and Dastan, other PoPsters speak, Colter Stevens, Jake's drunken tennis player cameo...

Yesterday's New York Times video in which stars described their favourite movie moments of the decade is today followed by a magnificent gallery of actors who have contributed key performances to cinema over the last year - and there amongst them is Jake Gyllenhaal in studded leather and moody black and white. I believe that Tobey Maguire is next to him but I'm having trouble dragging my eyes that far left. It's well worth looking through the other photographs. Many thanks to IHJ for the heads up!


And speaking of the video from yesterday, some of you may have experienced the same troubles as me watching it, so try this instead.



These are glorious PoP days and here are more new images from the film. At the risk of sounding like a parrot stuck in a groove - stunning. To accompany them, here are some excerpts from other articles in April's Total Film. In addition to the main PoP feature on Jake Gyllenhaal, there are also interviews with his co-stars the feisty Gemma Arterton and the sultry Toby Kebbell.


On Gemma: 'Cascading tresses also feature prominently in Jerry Bruckheimer's sand-blasted videogame adaptation Prince of Persia, in which Arterton's Princess Tamina is paired opposite Jake Gyllenhaal's Prince Dastan. Their squabbling, banterish relationship is, says Arterton, 'like Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing.' Contrasting her two blockbuster heroines, Arterton describes Tamina as 'a lot more fesity, a lot more comic than Io. She's funny and it's a full-on action role. I have to do loads of fighting, although there wasn't a particular style to my fighting because it's quite wild - she's not been trained. But I did stage combat at drama school so I had quite a bit of experience. I shoud have been a stuntwoman...'


On Toby: 'In Prince of Persia Kebbell plays Prince Garsiv, head of the Persian Army and rival of Jake Gyllenhaal's Dastan. 'He hates Jake Gyllenhaal's character because Dastan is more skilled than he is. Garsiv is battle-hardened in a different way. he has great skill in fighting and great education of war but he ends up being a dunce because he's so aggressive,' says Kebbell. Shooting took place in Morocco over three and a half months in temperatures of around 50 degrees centigrade. 'I was in a leather cape and 18 kilos of armour with a battle guard underneath and my sword belt, which made my armour 23 kilos. Then there was the helmet with chain mail down the back of my neck with a wig underneath, my plaited hair, my beard. It was unventilated.'


'Fighting with axes, horse riding, 'drinking three a half litres of water and not having a piss all day' - all part of being in a Jerry Bruckheimer franchise starter. And these weren't even the toughest things he had to get to grips with. 'Save the empire, the sword is still strong' says Kebbell, slowly, deliberately, concentrating hard, frowning slightly. 'Save the empire, the sword is still strong', man! I lost a lot of sleep thinking how on earth am I going to say that line?' Still he loved the experience. 'To work on that was genuinely spectacular,' he enthuses. 'If they do a sequel, I'm in, absolutely. I'm dying to, in fact.'


IGN has been publishing some of its interviews with other PoP stars from its visit to the Pinewood set last year, including Sir Ben Kingsley: 'I really liked the character. Because of my years in Shakespeare, I really enjoy mining into the character, digging into the character to find out why he is what he is. How he became. So in my portrayal of the uncle, Nizam, I was able -- very happily and enjoyably with Mike Newell -- to go into the script and speculate, 'I see why he is this way. I see why his behavior is that way. I see how he's motivated and what drives him.' So Mike Newell, being the lovely director he is, turned a plot-driven piece into a character-driven piece. It was very, very appealing to me and then it becomes, honestly, like any other film that one is enjoying making. You didn't feel the crushing weight of franchise, of Jerry Bruckheimer who really let us go, let us get on with it. We just got on with the job of telling a straight story with Mike Newell. It became a character-driven piece, which was tremendously enjoyable for me.'


Gemma reveals that Tamina is a high priestess: 'It's a real full-on action role, although she's a high priestess so she's not your typical kind of gun-wielding [heroine]. She's very spiritual, so it's an interesting take to have someone that's action-driven but that has got religious beliefs. It's an interesting character.'

There is also a new interview with Jordan Mechner, the creator of the Prince of Persia - or PoP's pop, as he is called here.


Prince of Persia: Sands of Time will first premiere at ShoWest, a movie trade event in Las Vegas. PoP will show to some of the industry's most influential figures on 18 March. I think it may be fair to declare, then, that PoP is finished.

And that is the PoP update... but there is much more going on than PoP!

Source Code

Jake has revealed a few words about his next role 'that "'Source Code' is a kind of sci-fi thriller based in different time continuums. I play Colter Stevens and he's a helicopter pilot who finds himself in a very unlikely and disoriented situation."' The buzz builds...


We heard yesterday about Jeffrey Wright joining the cast of Source Code. Stand up comedian Russell Peters is also attached, demonstrated by his explanation for the cancellation of his March gigs: 'The reason for the re-scheduling is that Russell has landed a role in the Sci-fi action movie, Source Code. The film is set to be directed by Duncan Jones (Moon) and star Jake Gyllenhaal (Jarhead), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) and Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye). Originally scheduled to start shooting after the Australian tour, Russell's shoot dates were moved-up when the producers decided to expand his role in the film with additional scenes and dialogue. Russell must now report to set on February 23rd until the end of March.'


Jake's other video cameo career...

Tomorrow night on Channel 4, Vampire Weekend premiere the video of their new single Giving Up the Gun on Rude Tube at 23:50. This will give Jake chance to continue his other job of music video star cameo artiste. The band has been discussing the shoot (in Hollywood) and how Jake was already a fan of their music before he got the call. We also get an idea of Jake's role and I can't wait to see it!


'I certainly can’t speak for everybody, but Joe Jonas and Jake Gyllenhaal were through connections of mine. I was making calls saying, “Hey, I want to get some people to come down and be in this video!” One of my friends was like, “Oh, I was just with Jake and he was listening to the new Vampire Weekend record.” The next thing you know, there he is. I don’t think he even knew what he was doing, but he absolutely slayed it and was a lot of fun to work with. He did a great job in the video and brought a lot to it, which was fantastic.... We lit shit on fire. We had RZA presiding over the tennis match. Lil Jon came down to give some tennis tips. Jake Gyllenhaal drank himself out of the competition; Joe Jonas tried, but did not succeed. There was a lot of rigorous competition, pyrotechnics, and a little bit of milk to cap it all off.'


Includes pictures from links and IHJ.

Jake Gyllenhaal in NYC for Peter and Maggie's opening night? And some bits and pieces...

While we hold our collective breath and wait for the release of the video for Jamie Foxx's new single Blame It, expected on 9 February and - as is the way with many Jake Gyllenhaal film appearances - delayed, there's time for a mishmash of a post. First - many thanks to Get Real for the link that suggests that Jake is, as widely hoped and speculated, in New York City! Tomorrow night (12 February) is the opening night of Peter and Maggie's Uncle Vanya. Coincidence? I think not. Jake could either be there tomorrow to cheer them on... or the babysitter dropped out at the last minute.


On to the sighting last night - Jake was seen in Allen and Delancey on the Lower East Side wearing a 'newsboy cap', which sounds very familiar. One aspect of this particular hat that I have particularly enjoyed is that it evokes so many different memories and meanings to people from both sides of the pond. But never mind the hat, what about the fodder - actually, never mind the food, what about the cocktail list? Be inspired here. Put me down for a Jalisco Trail.


So, talking of Jake sightings, someone else today mentioned on their site their own brief encounter with one rather flirty and rather delicious Jake Gyllenhaal. It bears repeating here: 'I have been kissed on the cheek by The Rock, Ewan McGregor, and one time i asked Jake Gyllenhaal what he had in his pocket and he said "Let me see...oh, I have your phone number!"' That's our Jake, all right, but it wasn't her phone number...


And, talking of Peter and Maggie, who are no doubt speaking around the home to each other in Chekhovesque as they prime themselves for tomorrow's opening, if you want their coats, you can have them - well, for a price. 'Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Lindsay Price – have donated autographed Mackage coats to Housing Works, which will be auctioned online at Shophousingworks.com. Bidding starts February 7th and ends on February 19th at 7:00pm.'


As for Jake, Forbes released its list of most bankable actors yesterday and at the top was Will Smith. However, Jake Gyllenhaal was a very respectable 52 - especially when one considers that Jake's films have been delayed for one reason or another and it's been a while. Clearly people are ready to wait. Not very patiently - but we wait. It's an interesting list - Robert Downey Jr is 21, for instance, and there are few youngsters. This list of Star Currency is based on the opinions of directors, producers and people directly involved with the industry. When you look at the breakdown, Jake fares far better with those from Italy than from Spain, for example, but, if it hadn't have been for Spain's result, Jake would have been much higher.


Jake's fellow Prince of Persia, Toby Kebbell, has been getting some attention in the wake of his rising star BAFTA nomination which, unfortunately, was not to be his. In an article yesterday, it was revealed why PoP director Mike Newell took to Toby: 'Kebbell impressed Newell deeply: 'For my story, Toby had to be butch, handsome and dim. He's very still in rehearsal; he concentrates, sits neatly paying attention, like a cat watching goldfish. A Yorkshireman; no wasted words. 'Then one day you realise he's built his character all round himself and he's not the same guy who sat watching at all. He's inside this crystal container of character. You can still - just - see him deep inside the container. 'You rap on the outside to talk to him and he calls back, "Go away. Don't bother me. I'm being someone else." I think one day they'll find out he's really very funny.''


'Butch, handsome and dim' - sounds perfect (except when you need him for the Pub Quiz). Right, then, Jamie, where's this video?


Includes pictures from IHJ.

Jake Gyllenhaal out without a hat [Updated]! And Toby's epic journey

With only hours (well, a day and a a bit) before the Golden Globes awards on Sunday night, Jake Gyllenhaal has been practising going outside without a beanie. Giving us a greatly desired glimpse of his Rendition-esque hair, Jake and Reese attended the Golden Globes reception party at the Buffalo Club in Santa Monica on Friday night. But, while Jake can give, he can also take away - he may have uncovered the hair, but sleeves?! Surely, those are unnecessary.





Edited to add that you can see a selection of photos of some of the other stars who attended the party here - there are some very familiar faces from Jake's career here, including Jared Leto, Zooey Deschanel and the lovely Emmy Rossum - plus Jerry PoP Bruckheimer. Thanks to IHJ for some extra pics!



Toby's Bafta nomination

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, Jake's fellow Persian Prince Toby Kebbell has been nominated for the Orange Rising Star Award at the Baftas (to be held on Februray 8). Toby's been talking about this great news as well as his career over the last year, and seems almost relieved that the filming of PoP is over. Neverthless, having called the filmshoot phenomenal, Toby goes on to say 'I never like to say phenomenal when you're wearing the same beard for nine months and you have to brush it out for nine hours. It's like pubes, always like that! [It was] 54 degrees centigrade on the edge of the Sahara in 18 kilos of armour on horseback. But they're like epic journeys in themselves. I'm blessed, I've got nothing to complain about.' And he got to see Jake's arms on a regular basis.


Beanie-wearing Toby did tell the Sun that being able to eat during the PoP filming was a big improvement on RocknRolla.

Pictures from here and the BBC.

Putting a voice to the pictures and making dreams a reality

Yesterday (Friday), Jessica Biel was photographed arriving at the Wildfire post-production studios in LA, where she is doing voiceover work for Nailed. Now this has to be good news and an indication that perhaps this film is at last receiving its finishing touches. At least, Nailed is in a fit enough state for there to be a voiceover, and that's got to be good. I also like Jessica's jumper - after yesterday's post, I think Jake would like it too.


Voiceovers are not to be sniffed at. They take skill and can play a huge role in setting the mood and tone of a film, not to mention shifting the plot and characterisation along and creating a relationship between the speaker and his listeners. While Jake Gyllenhaal is at an advantage when it comes to voiceovers - just listen to that voice of his - he still has admitted to finding them tricky and his most perfect voiceover, for Jarhead, didn't start off that way and nearly lost Jake the much-wanted role.



In DVD Review, both Sam Mendes and Jake discussed with some honesty how Jake messed up the voiceover for his audition, so much so that, even though Jake was Sam's first choice, Sam turned to look at other actors, leaving Jake to phone him in the middle of the night, fighting to get another chance. Sam said: 'Jake didn't nail the audition. He was very much who I wanted straight away but when he came in he didn't audition well.. When he started reading I thought 'Who is Swofford and who is this guy?' The problem with writing a movie based on a book that's a first-person narrative is that, often, the least clear thing about the book is the person writing it.'


According to Jake, 'I had a really hard time with the narration and it was almost the thing that didn't get me the part. When I came in and read for Sam, he made me read the voiceover. It was really literary and I really thought that I fucked up... and I did fuck it up!... He turned and said to me, 'You didn't seal the deal, I have to tell you!' That's his way of saying that I had just fucked it up. I had a hard time with that.' To get over this, Jake was given Swofford's original journal: 'It was a little green book... and it had on it a song lyric which was so cheesy and young, and kind of sweet in alot of ways.. Then when you open it up it's about how many girls he wants to fuck and how many people he's going to fucking kill and blah-blah-bah, he's on watch and it sucks and this guy sucks and they kicked our asses today - not the same perspective that the book was in. And I just thought, 'That's who I'm playing, not the guy who wrote the book!'


Sam came back round to wanting Jake, 'When I first saw him at the initial audition, I thought, 'Maybe Swofford isn't this, maybe he's something else. maybe he's much more hardcore, more silent and private and inaccessible.' So I met with a lot of other actors and I read the part with them all to try and see what kind of a person Tony was. Every week there'd be a new draft and then, eventually, I came full circle to Jake. It took me a while to realise what I wanted.'


Jake also told Entertainment Weekly about his first audition in Sam's New York apartment: 'It was really, really literary and hard to get your mouth around... I couldn't connect. I thought I'd f---ed it up' and while Jake was filming Brokeback Mountain he was troubled at the thought of Sam auditioning other actors.


This is a far cry from the time when the very young Jake was being put through his action hero paces on the set of The Day After Tomorrow. Back in June 2004, producer Mark Gordon and director Roland Emmerich told SFX magazine, with not a little humour, how they set about making their vision a reality, complete with CGI and wet actors. As Roland says: 'If you make a film that has amazing images, you can still bore people to death.' Obviously they avoided this straightaway by hiring Jake Gyllenhaal.


It was all new for Jake as Roland describes: 'As he'd only done small, independent movies he was really excited to come and do a movie like this... It was an opportunity for him to be really physical. The toughest scene for him was the one in the water tank. Water is always tricky. If you're standing hip-deep in the stuff and you have to do the same scene over and over again, and on top of this it's raining on you, and there are wind machines blowing in your face... well, it's not very attractive. We tried to make it as pleasant as possible for him.'

''We gave them umbrellas occasionally,' deadpans Gordon.'


I was amused to read here that the 'rapscallions behind South Park had received a leaked copy of The Day After Tomorrow screenplay, and had plotted to make their own, alternative version, filmed in absolute secrecy and then released on the same day as the bona fide original. A version made with puppets. 'They're not doing that', says Emmerich, with the air of a man who never once found this idea even remotely amusing.' They called Rupert Murdoch: 'And when Rupert wants to take care of business, he takes care of business, and he took care of it for us...'' I hope they still have their kneecaps.


Jake has said that one of his favourite scenes is the one where tornados devastate his home town of LA. Apparently ''A lot of people wanted me to cut that bit out and I said, 'Only over my dead body,' says Emmerich 'I've had to live in this town for 14 years and I didn't enjoy it one bit.' Sounds fair enough to me.


As you can tell, I've been having a winter's day going through my old Jake scrapbooks, which go back quite a few years. And I rediscovered this newspaper cutting which gives us some idea of what dreams drove Jake to be in the movies in the first place: 'Ever since I was a little boy, I've know what I wanted to be: a bird. Unfortunately, I was not that great at flying, so I gave that occupation up. I felt depressed that I did not have something to look forward to when I grew up. But since the day I saw my first movie, my worries were over.'


'There in front of me was a 'scween' (as I called it then). After the screen opened, people started moving around on it. It amazed me! It was a momentous occasion. It confirmedwhat I would do when I grew up - sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had not gone to that movie, but I did. And it gave me the 'key' to my acting future!'


And finally...

Prince Dastan's rather fine and gorgous foe, Toby Kebbell, attended the UK premiere of Leo DiCaprio's Body of Lies last week and, according to Empire, Toby is currently 'training hard for his big fight scene with Jake Gyllenhaal.' (I couldn't help myself from correcting the spelling of Gyllenhaal...). Now, I would pay good money to see this big sizzling fight scene, and I expect I will, over and over and over...


Includes pictures from links, IHJ, Getty and scans from WDW.