As everyone will tell you, Tuesday night is Karate Night and it's no different for Jake Gyllenhaal. Just because he's a star that's no reason for him to get out of it. And so yesterday Jake was seen arriving for and leaving from his lesson, which appears to have taken place within a cage. I'm assuming that some photos are from Jake's arrival judging by the fact that Jake is carrying a big box (which, as all regulars of WDW will know is not that common for Jake*). I'm afraid that this post features feet - multiple feet.
*Jake and Box Lady:
Never one to let karate take over his entire day, Jake was also about in LA yesterday looking - how do I put this? - perfect.
2001
One thing I did in 2001 was sing along to Destiny's Child 'Survivor'. The other thing I did was to go and see Donnie Darko. Yes, Donnie Darko - or DD or 'The film with the rabbit' or 'What on earth was going on in that film with the rabbit?' or 'What sort of a name is Frank for a rabbit?' as it is sometimes known - is a decade old this year. To mark the event there is an all singing all dancing Blu-ray/DVD edition coming out to give you another excuse to have yet another version of this classic movie. At the last count I had three versions. Therefore, I may as well have four. Especially if it helps me understand what on earth is going on. Some details here.
Peter's Hector
To mark the release of Green Lantern next month, another poster has been released. And this one's a goodie because it features Peter Sarsgaard as baddie Hector Hammond. I am really looking forward to seeing Peter on the big screen again. This poster is via Flicks and Bits.
And finally...
Tomorrow may well turn out to be a day that I will never forget. A real adventure. I'll be at the Pirates of the Caribbean press conference and then attending the premiere at Westfield in London as press. It seems serendipitous indeed that this should occur almost a year to the day that I was at Westfield for the Prince of Persia premiere. I am really looking forward to seeing Jerry Bruckheimer again. There is a good chance that I'll be able to ask the stars of Pirates a question or two. If you have a suggestion for a question do add it to the comments. Many thanks to Blogomatic3000 and Disney. Excited? Me?
The Prince of Persia DVD is heading our way in September and we're starting to get the odd hint or two about what we might get on it. At this point, may we all give thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer because 'we always add things that are fun and interesting for you guys to look at'. I certainly wouldn't say no to a lot more fun and interesting Jake Gyllenhaal to look at.
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.
Comment update: Blogger has regurgitated the comments! Normal service resumed :D
As Jake Gyllenhaal, probably, continues to enjoy his holidays in the peace and quiet of latte-free Martha's Vineyard, my mind goes back to last summer when the tranquility of this sunkissed (and hurrican-swept) isle took a beating thanks to BatGate. But one thing was sure, whatever the whats and wherefores of bats, paddles, oars and canoes, Jake rose above the stormy waters of international dissent by virtue of being Jake 'shirt is optional' Gyllenhaal.
In 2007, one of Jake's few summer appearances was at the Chilmark Village Store on MV. Even holidaying movie stars have to leave the beach for supplies on occasion. Two years later, in August 2009, Chilmark Village Store had other visitors in the shape of myself, BBMISwear, President Obama and a Portuguese Water Hound (the third picture below is from just down the road on MV, West Tisbury).
Not too far away from the Chilmark store, is the community centre where Jake is known for playing 'Hoops' (translation: Basketball), no doubt working through his caffeine needs on this non-coffee-shop-chain island. BBMISwear here models the hoop, while I test the spectator's bench.
More MV memories to follow, no doubt, as the summer continues.
Meanwhile, Jake may be having a rest, but no rest for the rest of us as we cross oceans, mountains, lakes and cities back to Russia. I realised that I haven't posted the video of the press conference from Moscow from May. It's entertaining to watch, not least for the playful banter between Jake and Gemma Arterton and also because only Jake looks that good with an earpiece, but it's less easy to listen to unless you're Russian.
Therefore, it's great that we have an account of the press conference. Admittedly, it too is in Russian, but with the help of The Internet, here are some bits (without the bit where Jerry Bruckheimer is asked if he can make a movie about Tetris next): 'The huge influence on me for this have been Indiana Jones and Robin Hood. I've always admired these heroes, their sense of humor, which I don't have, because they always get into all sorts of adventures and scrapes. Yes, I was very inspired by movies with these characters.'
'M. Newell: Don't believe him, he has a wonderful sense of humor (laughs).'
On being told that he has a spiritual face and should perhaps consider playing a biblical character, Jake replies: 'Oh, thank you very much. So, it wasn't just my hair (laughs)? The fact is that after reading the first two pages of script, I immediately wanted to play Dastan. My character lives a good life, enjoying all its forms, that's what made me want to do it. All of my former heroes approached these issues too seriously.'
On how they picked such a beautiful actress for Tamina, Jake replied: 'We went out and chose the first available person (laughs). '
When asked if Jake still has any of the muscles left and if he can show them: 'Thank you! I don't know. I prefer that you see the movie and see me on screen, but not here. I'm not going to strip! Yes, you are right, everything has gone ... Oh, you look disappointed (laughs).'
Jake also says again how he admired Val Kilmer's character in Willow and that 'I hope to star someday in a movie in which I can fly.' More here.
While I'm at it, here is another bad translation from another interview:
'For me the main thing isn't even the role itself, but the fact that I get pleasure from the process and the outcome... I worked so hard that my heroes seemed a little far-fetched ... But now I realize: it's important that you yourself have fun with what you're doing. I'm very pleased with Prince of Persia, I still have only the most positive emotions from this role, I think what happened was wonderful!'
'I like adventure, but within reasonable limits. Of course, I look like this character, except for the long hair. We both love to enjoy life and all that we do.'
'Actually, after the shooting, I don't think that I will get a dagger, which changes the time. You know, I wouldn't change the past. I just look back and try to change the future, to correct some mistakes and not repeat them in the future.'
'Yes, I was very fond of this game as a child: I could spend hours jumping over obstacles, running away from enemies, fighting at loggerheads. Before the shoot we were asked to remember all this to get used to the idea, so I sat down and played, when I had free time. But Gemma was even worse at the game - she couldn't even climb the wall! (Laughs.)'
'Dastan really liked Tamina, but he had to behave like that, because the events of the film did allow tenderness. Well, I'm currently free.'
Is the acting a mission or a job: 'Before I would say: yes, I have some extraordinary specific goal, once I'm an actor. But now I realize that this is just a wonderful job. Thanks to it I can tell and show people different stories that will help someone become better.'
Jake's own heroes: 'Indiana Jones. I really like this character: he's smart, brave, strong and with a sense of humor. The family, of course, is also an example of heroism for me, because it always supports you always, even in the most difficult moments, no matter how you are ...' More here.
Many thanks to IHJ for the timely and lovely new old Russia pics!
Today I thought I'd take a break from all the sport by watching a different sport, in addition to a bunch of other sports that I've been hooked on for the last two weeks. That means cycling and the Tour de France which kicked off today but not in France. Someone said to me this week 'If you don't have a bicycle you may as well be dead' and, while I would argue with the validity of that assertion, it is indeed true that you cannot race the Tour de France without one. Lance Armstrong began his final Tour campaign today (although not for the first time) and one can't help but wonder that if indeed this is the last Tour then maybe at least the final scene can be added to the Lance Armstrong Biopic.
During the last four years we've heard no end of rumours connecting Jake Gyllenhaal to the Lance Armstrong biopic. And that isn't surprising because, in 2006, when Lance was following rather than competing, Jake not only accompanied (from a bit of a way back) Lance up the hilliest stage of the Tour, he also spent much of the summer with him. Along with another candidate for the Lance role, Matthew McConaughey.
The three amigos spent so much time together, a play was written about them. But the movie and cycling worlds are fickle and before too long Matt Damon was the name mentioned, even Rob 'The Pale One' Pattinson and Chris 'beam me up Scotty' Pine got a look in. One fact remains, however: Jake Gyllenhaal is indeed a cyclist and he has the spandex to back it up.
Back in 2006: 'Jake Gyllenhaal talked to the press about his new buddy Lance Armstrong while in the French Alps with the cyclist to watch the Tour de France. "We became friends just recently, a couple of months ago. He's a pretty straightforward guy. He called me the other day and said like, 'You want to go riding?'" Gyllenhaal recently started riding as training for a film, and of his ride with Armstrong through the Alps, the Proof actor said, "When we first started riding it was pure adrenaline that kept me going. Then, up the hill, across the way, you could see him like a plane in the sky, he was moving so fast... I just learn from Lance every day, the tips I get. I have never pushed myself so hard as I do with him." Gyllenhaal also joked about his other mutual pastime with Armstrong - beer drinking - saying, "That's been the primary training." Next on the agenda, Armstrong is taking the actor to his seaside villa in Nice.'
Obviously I'll make a good cyclist because that's the kind of training I'm an expert in. Jake has spoken of that year to New Weekly: 'Q: How did you get into it? JG: My best friend is a cyclist and he had a tandem bike. One day he was like, "Let's ride." I got on the back of the bike and we were riding and we just started pushing so hard, working together on this tandem bike. It was so much fun. I just remember that one ride — from then on I started riding. Then I guess Lance Armstrong heard that I biked and so he called me one day: "You want to go for a ride?" Q: There was this phase where there were always photos of you, Lance and Matthew McConaughey … JG: [Laughs.] Yeah. Well, then I had to go to work. We all hung out during summer, then we all had to go to work.'
'"The rumour started because Lance and I are friends". When asked about Lance, Jake praises his friend "But what has impressed me most about him is what he has done for people." "What is it that Lance Armstrong has done for people?" You can almost hear the pause and the sharp intake of breath: "He's motivated them! Thanks to him millions of people have started to think about themselves and tried to find out what's inside them."'
More recently, this year, Jake said: 'Lance Armstrong said to me, “Just break a sweat once a day.” Break a sweat once a day — and not out of stress — and you’ll stay healthy for the rest of your life. And I think that’s really true. Find something to get your heart-rate up, that’s what I did with this. But it’s good also to get paid to do it. That really helps.'
As a keen supporter and campaigner for LiveStrong, I wish Lance Armstrong all the best for the Tour, as tomorrow it leaves Rotterdam and heads on to Belgium.
Moscow!
Jake Gyllenhaal is enjoying the delights of Martha's Vineyard and I can't say I blame him - the island is gorgeous (even though the sea there frightens me as that's where Jaws was filmed...). But after posting the pictures yesterday from Moscow, I have to revisit that place because Jake and Gemma both shone there. I visited Russia several times in the mid-late 1980s, during the Gorbachev years and just before. There were adventures. There were long journeys by train through snow and ice with steaming tea, burning vodka and dashing guards. Not surprisingly, I love the place. I remember sitting to watch the Moscow State Circus while a child behind plaited by hair and watching the Bolshoi Ballet with an American marine who'd snuck out from the embassy.
Jake took part in a number of interviews in Moscow. I'm afraid that my Russian is extremely limited (although at one time I could work my way around a menu). But here are some of the things that Jake said in one interview:
'Well, I don't want to make everyone sad, but nobody knows how much time he has left on Earth. So you should get everything out of life. Therefore, wherever I go, I like to get into a little trouble. For instance, when I went to Moscow, I thought - we must see the sights, but there are places that tourists don't see. I'd like to see more than that. I also love to climb mountains, for example.'
'When we shot one of the swordfights, John Sio, our operator, said: "Jake, don't think about anything, it's just a fight, wave your sword", and he always followed me with the camera. In the middle of the battle I had... And John got a sword in the face. It was rubber of course, but I remember being terribly frightened when he fell on his back. We stopped shooting, I told him: "Oh, forgive me, forgive me!" And he said: 'Damn, that was fun! "This shot went into the film. Now that was unexpected.'
'And the worst day was when Alfred Molina kissed one of the ostriches on the neck!'
'Oh, I have, oddly enough, very much in common with the horse. Much more than with anyone else. We became close friends. Incidentally, afterwards, he went with me to Los Angeles, and is now living in West Hollywood. We ... I don't even have the words to express what I feel! He always supports me in everything. He is my best friend. If we say that there is someone special in every life, then that is my horse - he easily saved my life. He has carried me through everthing, and still supports me. I taked to him yesterday by phone, incidentally. I said: "I'm in Moscow!"... This is a special relationship, thanks for the question!'
Source Code: 'Well, there are lots of explosions in the film. We do a lot of fights. A very dangerous fistfight... Duncan Jones, the director of the film, is very good with psychology and amazing in science fiction. So the film has a strong dramatic feel, it's not just a thriller. Instead, it's clever fiction heated with napalm, which will satisfy any fan of action games.'
Who was the boss on PoP: 'Actually, I think Jerry... But in terms of interaction with the actors from scene to scene, the boss - Mike... They always worked together, I saw that. But it's still a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. He's a big producer, people go to watch his films... But in my opinion, I'm still the boss!'
I advise you to wipe off the mascara and grab a bunch of hankies for this first video in the post tonight. It's emotional stuff. In it, Jake Gyllenhaal reveals with heartwrenching, raw feeling just how he feels when he receives the second thing he's wanted the most his entire life. Obviously, I have a few suggestions for what the first thing Jake's craved might be (many of them involve southern England and sunsets) but what is number 2? I'm sure you've already guessed - a rug magnet from Morocco. Yep, that was my guess too. Before you reach this magic (mini) carpet moment, you must watch Jerry Bruckheimer be bewildered.
As part of the catchup, I don't want to delay any longer posting this interview from the Toronto Sun. It includes more about what President Obama said to him and how his words all fitted in with Jake's strategy of bringing fun into his work day. '“I saw a lot of my contemporaries doing similar things and having a good time doing it, and audiences definitely want to see big entertainment,” Gyllenhaal says. “It’s not a fun time for a lot of people and they like to go to the movie theatre and have a good time.” Recently, he adds, he and some other actors met with President Obama. “He said, ‘You’re all entertainers. In the United States and all over the world, people are having a rough time, so just keep making us laugh.’ So this movie is my political statement,” he says, and he grins.'
'“I had an idea of what good acting was. I thought it was digging down to the very depths of your soul, but your soul consists of so many things — everything we do, joy too and fun and going back to being a kid again.”'
'“In the movie, some of the jumps I do, or the stunt guys do, it really is an issue of the mind. You see how powerful the mind is, that you can jump 25 feet in distance and 15 in height from something, and land unscathed. It’s almost a meditation. You’re transferring your energy from impact — there is no impact.” Almost every jump and stunt was done without wires, he adds, “and when there were wires, it was due to insurance issues.”'
'Growing up in the industry “is something that made me feel confident,” says the actor. “’Cause I grew up around different artists and on movie sets, and just like any child who grows up in any context, you end up feeling comfortable in that context. That was an advantage,” he says. By the same token, he explains, the family’s reputation — for good or ill — follows one around, and being immersed in the profession from childhood makes one critical of other actors’ work. “You have a critical eye for the process. When it’s your profession, that’s the way you are. And sometimes that takes away from the fun of the process.”'
[NB: Unfortunately YouTube removed this video... I like this video below from LA - a kind fan offers Jake Snickers - and we know how much he likes them]
'"I’ve seen the fickle aspects of the business from a very young age. Artistically, financially, I’ve seen my parents’ careers go up and down. As a result, I’ve walked into it a little more cautiously. That’s ultimately why I take myself a lot less seriously.”'
'To illustrate what he does take seriously, Gyllenhaal talks about Paul Newman, an actor he greatly admires, and the astounding charity work Newman did through his line of salad dressings and other comestibles. “That salad dressing, to me, was a sense of who he was, and how he did so much incredible good around the world. Yes, the movies stay with us, but more than that, we remember the person, the man he was. So the movie stuff, whether it goes away tomorrow, I have the things that matter to me in my life.”'
Including a rug magnet from Morocco.
Many thanks to Carol for the Evening Echo from 20 May (some WDW scans from that included) and to IHJ - And thanks to every one for all the great feedback on the WDW Makeover!
A short time ago, a half-hour special on Prince of Persia and the London premiere was screened on TV in the UK. There have been no end of technical glitches getting this in a state ready to show here, so I thought I'd do it in parts. That way I might get tonight's post out tonight and not in 4 weeks. Today here are parts 1 and 2. Fortunately, you'll be relieved to here there is very little me in this one - I'll put out a warning before that part. But there is plenty of Jake Gyllenhaal.
Today, People published this sighting of Jake from over the holiday weekend: 'After a whirlwind week promoting his new movie Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Jake Gyllenhaal was in the mood to kick back. The actor started his weekend with a big night out at L.A.'s Trousdale Lounge, where he sat in the back room sipping vodka along with a large group of friends. Later, he was spotted at Lamill Coffee Boutique in Silver Lake twice – first for a steak and eggs brunch with a couple and their little girl, then again for a Memorial Day breakfast after riding his motorcycle. During the brunch, the actor "seemed to enjoy playing with the couple's daughter," an onlooker says.'
Jake Gyllenhaal on a motorbike?! How my biking chick eyes light up at that as I reach for my bright yellow helmet.
I must thank reader MMK for posting this wonderful Dastan montage on the WDW Facebook page. Thank you!
I'm probably not alone in enjoying more than my share of Mini Prince Jake Dastans. I have keyrings and various Lego Jakes (shirted and unshirted) on horses and ostriches. But what I don't have and - to be fair - may never have - is a $300 Dastan statue. But here he is... Nice boots.
The Miami Herald (edited by Jake's uncle Anders, of course) has published a phone interview with Jake and there is a classic piece of incomprehensible but loveable GyllenSpeak: '"I was brought up thinking that movies were very serious and this and that. I don't believe that anymore. After working with Jerry, it's a sense as if movies are like notes on a piano. There are major chords, minor chords, unresolved cadences, and major chords with resolved cadences. There are so many different ways of making films, and he knows how to have his audience [enjoy] an incredibly good time. He brings out the best in the people who are working for him." Gyllenhaal says he told Bruckheimer: I want to do [Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time] because I want to have a good time. I'm tired of taking myself so seriously. He said: 'Welcome.''
'"I think it's always a toss-up between free will and destiny," said Gyllenhaal. "I'm really starting to sense that destiny definitely does exist. A lot of it is about just trusting that you are where you're supposed to be... From the very beginning of the movie, the character that I play, Dastan, always follows his heart... That leads him to great places. It leads him to have great fun. It leads him to enjoy his life and what happens even when he's in difficult situations."' Much more here.
