Jake Gyllenhaal talks Brothers - 'I hope you don't mind but I get really animated!' And the PoP Giant 3D poster book! And more...

I'm glad to say that the release of Brothers has attracted some attention in Jim Sheridan's homeland. We've heard some bits and pieces from the press day in NYC and since then we've been given the odd Jake sentence, pulled out of nowhere. But the pieces come together and today we have more. Apart from some familiar quotes about working with the kids in prisons and about being mistaken for Tobey Maguire, but we get some fun preamble and the source for some of those lines that have been floating round the net. And keeping playful Jake company are signs of that earnest Jake who's been told he thinks too much. Here are some of the bits that are new to me. I do like the beginning...


'JG: “[Waving his hands around] Hi! I hope you don't mind but I get really animated!” Q: Not at all, go for it. And what was with your look? JG: “You mean in the movie, or in reality? Sorry, I have no concept of the difference between movies and reality!”'

'Q: Well, have you seen the movie? JG: “Yes, Twilight. God, I loved that movie! (Laughs) No, I was just saying that, because it's the thing of the moment! Yeah, I'm up on stuff. But what did you want to know?”'


'Q: What attracted you to Brothers? JG: “The director Jim Sheridan attracted me. He's made some of the most extraordinary movies, and gotten the most extraordinary performance out of actors - more than many of the directors working today. And his inherent trust in me, as an actor - six weeks to work with someone as extraordinary as him is like a godsend.”'


Q: So how did the theme of this film resonate with you? JG: “Which one? Sleeping with your brother's wife?!” Q: The brother thing. JG: “Wow...Well, I don't have a brother. Thank god! I do have a brother-in-law now, But that would be weird, because...anyway! Themes...I think that we all have a great ability to move towards our impulses. Anger, or violence. And I'll just speak for myself, I think inherently as a man, there are things that come up about what you want to do, and what you should do. But then to me, this movie is about forgiveness, ultimately. And about somebody who does something unbelievable. You know, to get back to the thing that they love. And to me, I just feel that's what life is all about. If you have something that you love and you care for, then I would hope that anyone would do anything to get back to that. No matter what. And the complications of what has to be done are unfathomable. Like it won't compute in any logical sense, of even storytelling. Because Tobey's character is put in a position where there is no right choice.”'


'Q: What do you feel about the war theme of Brothers and that this country is sending more soldiers to Afghanistan, even as we speak? JG: “Well do you want to talk about the movie, or do you want to talk about current politics? Because I hate hearing actors talk about politics! But if you want to hear me talk about politics, then we can have that discussion.” Q: Yes, I'd like to know how you feel. JG: “Well, to be honest - because I haven't been, before this moment! - to be clear, I would like to say that I think there's a tendency for journalists to want to corner a movie like this into a certain...corner! And in this movie, it's hard to separate the soldier, from the life that a soldier lives, you know? Like if you see a man in uniform, then the movie is about war, and the movie is about a man getting to get back to the things he loves, in my opinion. I've made movies about war. So I feel like I can say that. And I've answered many, many questions about that before, you know?“'


'Q: So you have finished wrapping on Prince of Persia - how difficult or gruelling a production was that for you? JG: “It wasn’t difficult at all.” Q: Really? Putting on all that weight and running around like crazy wasn’t gruelling? JG: “Well it was long - we shot for a long time. I guess putting on the weight for Persia was challenging. Doing all that physical activity and doing all that physical work to get into a part is a certain type of challenge but I had to do it and I did it.” Q: Is it going to be weird having little action figures of you out in the summer? JG: “It’s great, in fact it’s awesome! I can’t wait.”'

Source: Movies.ie. You can read their Jim Sheridan interview here.


This line is definintely one of my favourites: 'I think there's a tendency for journalists to want to corner a movie like this into a certain...corner!' And when Jake says it's awesome that thousands of kids (and certain bloggers) will be playing with mini Jakes this summer, you just know he means it. I also sense that after two movies in a row which have led to questions on war and politics, Jake'll be ready for Prince of Persia. Unless he is asked about the relative advantages of battle on horseback versus battling on an ostrich.

Talking of the Prince... Thanks to Silver for the heads up that Amazon.co.uk is now taking orders for the Prince of Persia Amazing 3D Never Seen Before Poster Book! It features a giant 3D poster and a collection of stickers. Giant.... 3D..... Jake. And all for £3.99. I knew those 3D Avatar glasses would come in handy.


Update: How about a jigsaw puzzle?


The PoP figures are now available to order from various outlets, including here in the US and Play.com in the UK.

And finally

A lovely picture of Maggie and Ramona enjoying an LA winter's day at the Melrose Flea Market in Hollywood yesterday (Sunday), as sightings continue of Jake around and about in Berkeley.


Includes pictures from IHJ and links.