Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine to go on a Disney Double Date Into the Woods? And Marvel rumours

The deal might not be done and dusted yet but, all going well, Jake Gyllenhaal will at last get that musical role that he's wanted for years. Hollywood Reporter informs us that Jake and Chris 'Spock! Spock!' Pine are in negotiations to appear as princely brothers in Disney's adaptation of Into the Woods, a Broadway musical. Both Jake and Chris have sung for the very lucky and fortunate director Rob Marshall and, not surprisingly, are expected to receive offers soon. 

Several things to note here. Jake would play the handsome prince who falls for Cinderella and manages to make her give up her life as scullery maid and slave to a wicked stepmother and persuades her to abandon her mouse friends in favour of a life of love and indulgence in a spaceship. Chris T Pine will seduce Rapunzel away from her alien hairy planet of heartache and knots and promise her a new life beside him on the bridge. Admittedly, I would set this in space, given the chance. Not in woods.

The title is a little worrying - Into the Woods. Does this mean that it's not Jake who will be hired but his hairy twin, Sasquatch? 

This role would also give Jake the opportunity to play against his Rendition-co-star-by-phone again, Meryl Streep, who gets the prize witch role. Johnny Depp will play a hungry, sexy wolf (there are several things up with that sentence). Jake and Chris will be 'brothers who are pompous and self-absorbed'.

Full details here. I knew that all those pop videos would pay off in the end...

All in all, this project sounds like a lot of fun for Jake and us alike, not least because Jake may have screen, even singing, time with Chris Pine who is Captain Kirk and that, for me, is swoonworthy. It doesn't sound like a big role for Jake so its filming date in the autumn would probably fit in well with Nightcrawlers which also has a start date around then and the completion, presumably, of Mississippi Grind. Jake was filmed boarding a private helicopter in NYC on 12 May (see photos) and while it can only be speculation it is possible that this was related to MG filming.

All of which sounds a lot more promising and exciting than the tweet that Jake met with Marvel this week with the associated rumours and murmurings that this may be something to do with Iron Man or Ant-Man (Edgar Wright's movie planned for 2015). My bets are hedged.

Thanks very much to IHJ for the new photos!

Jake Gyllenhaal causes a stir at the Berlinale - a catch up

While it is quite possible that Jake Gyllenhaal is not directly responsible for the fall of the German President Christian Wulff, despite the resignation following his reception for Jake and other members of the Berlinale jury, Jake is still causing somewhat of a stir. With thanks to a reader for a link, here is an account by a Hungarian blogger of her birthday treat with Jake, who was very definitely not to be confused with Robert Pattinson, the Pale One. Google will help you with a translation, except if your're Hungarian, in which case you may be able to help us with the translation.

After having seen off the President, Jake and the others went to a reception at the US Embassy in Berlin, as mentioned a couple of days ago. You can watch the video here. Thanks to IHJ for the new pictures from the event.

We also have a photo of Jake arriving back at his Berlin hotel on 15 April, the day after the Golden Bear ceremony with Meryl Streep.

Talking of Meryl Streep, there is a transcript now of the exchange between Jake and Meryl at the ceremony, thanks to Indiwire: "To be frank," he said. "Meryl Streep was not too fond of the 13-year-old version of me. Back in the early 1990s, Hank and I were going around in our baggy pants and listening to the rap artists of the day -- like Warren G and Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg -- pretending to be gangsters. In truth, and it may come as a great surprise to many of you, we were actually just wussies. But for some reason Meryl didn't take a liking to me and didn't really trust me with her son. As we all know from her work, Meryl Streep has a real capacity to be terrifying. We've all seen 'The Devil Wears Prada.'"

'"He was a bad influence on my son," she began. "I remember the first time I met him and he and my son were pretending to be bartenders at his big sister Maggie's birthday party -- which was a cabaret in the basement of their house. They were serving cokes and lemonade, they said. They had little red suits on and fake mustaches, and I'm so glad to see that Jake can grow his own now. But Jake Gyllenhaal is the son of the splendid screenwriter Naomi Fomer and director Stephen Gyllenhaal so he comes by his show business pedigree honestly.'

Jake's appearance at the Berlinale has certainly attracted some positive attention as well for his get up. There are a couple of days left - so much more could happen...

Thanks to IHJ for the pictures and to Mermon for help with some of the links!

Jake Gyllenhaal presents Berllin's Golden Bear to Meryl Streep - aka 'Hank's mom'

Last night, fresh from her shoe-shedding success at the BAFTAs, Meryl Streep received the Berlinale's highest honour, the Golden Bear. There to present the Bear for a lifetime's achievement to Meryl was Jake Gyllenhaal. We've heard before, during the Rendition days in which Jake and Meryl co-starred but never together, that Jake knew Meryl and her family as a child and more of this was revealed last night by 'Hank's mom'. It's been a while since we've seen Jake make such a long speech. Enjoy it!



Many thanks to IHJ for the wonderful photos! There are lots more there.

Meet the Stars of Rendition video and Rendition placed in its context

Last night, completely out of the blue (almost), Film 24 on Sky showed a documentary on Rendition called Meet the Stars. This feature included video of Gavin Hood shooting scenes from the film, some of the famous clips (which I'm sure we're all word perfect on by now) and interviews with the cast, recorded on set. Fortunately, because Twisted Logic has her eye on the ball - usually when it's Arsenal doing the kicking - WDWTL Productions is delighted to bring you Film 24's Meet the Stars. Because it's relatively long, this is in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. Thanks very much TL!



In addition to hearing and seeing Rendition Jake discuss his 'ghost' of a character, who found humanity when events literally and physically smacked him in the face, you can also see interviews with Peter Sarsgaard, Meryl Streep, Gavin Hood, Reese Witherspoon and the exceptional Omar Metwally.




War on film

The New York Times ran an interesting article this week comparing the recent spate of Hollywood films about Iraq and the war on terror and placing them in the context of the foreign and military policy of the US government. Intriguingly, the article includes an audio slide show on the War in Iraq, in which images from these films, including Rendition, are accompanied by a discussion of their context and intention by A O Scott, a correspondent from the New York Times.


Although the films appear on the surface to be coming from an anti-Bush perspective, Rendition, Scott argues, allows the characters to put the other side in good faith. These films respect an argument whilst also raising issues by what they choose to leave out. So while some people may accuse films such as Rendition of being too political, others may well find them not political enough. And maybe that is why, in my opinion, some critics cannot find it in themselves to like Rendition. Thanks Pia for highlighting this article.


Jake and Reese on the beach

Edited to add video of Jake and Reese on the beach.


Includes pictures from IHJ.

Rendition - 'bring plenty of tissues and don't wear mascara'

On This Morning Alison and Jake warned all of us about to see Rendition 'bring plenty of tissues and don't wear mascara.' It may have been said in jest but, believe me, it's good advice. This isn't a review as such, and there are no spoilers, but I had to tell you that I have just returned home from a packed screening of Rendition and I've learned something.


What I've learned is, if you see a film for the first time - say, Rendition - at a Film Festival - Toronto, for example - and you're well aware that its leading man and heartthrob - oh, I don't know, let's throw the name Jake Gyllenhaal in the air - is in the audience with you... the film doesn't really go in. How is a girl to concentrate in such testing circumstances, eh? I know I was deeply affected by it and mesmerised by it and by Jake's performance - I was close to sobbing on a friend's shoulder at one point, simply because I was overcome by how grown up and sexy Gavin Hood was allowing Jake to be. I really appreciated that this was a Jake I hadn't seen before and I was proud of him and his performance shredded me.


BUT, that was not an ordinary experience, it was the culmination of a day of Bountiful Jake, on foreign shores, with dear friends, and in the company (albeit at a distance) of Jake Gyllenhaal, Gavin Hood, Reese Witherspoon, Omar Metwally, Kelly Sane, Peter Sarsgaard and others whom we have to thank for Rendition.

Tonight was altogether different - a provincial cinema on the outskirts of a town - but it was hugely special, because tonight was about the film Rendition. I know so many of you will be joining me on both sides of the pond tomorrow in seeing Rendition, and I would say nothing to spoil it, my intention here is to tell you that you are in for a treat of the highest cinematic order.


The first time I saw Rendition, my eyes and my heart were completely overwhelmed by Jake and, for that reason, I would urge you all to plan a second viewing because it will be different. I saw so much that was new this second time: the colours of Morocco were more vibrant, the music more beguiling, and I could almost smell the Hookah pipes. I appreciated the work of other fine actors: Meryl Streep was absolutely superb - every line was considered, tried for size and then expressed with perfect intention. Omar Metwally, Yigal Naor, Zineb Oukach were mesmerising and oh so complicated. Every character has two sides; nothing could be what they think. The characters played by Reese Witherspoon and Peter Sarsgaard might be existing in the cold, crisp, light blue space of Washington DC but they're lost in their own maze, having to make choices, face truths and balance huge concepts.



And then there's Jake. I have to say that I'm proud of myself for allowing the power and emotion of the storyline to distract from Jake (although there are a couple of scenes where that's simply not possible!). Even so, without doubt, however exceptional the whole cast is in Rendition, this is Jake's film and I have never seen a performance from him like it. Douglas Freeman is an observer but this isn't through choice. This is a terrible thing he's being forced to watch - he doesn't like it, it's unpleasant and it's not giving results. So what should he do about it? The struggle within Douglas is so realistically enacted by Jake, I was moved beyond words by his maturity as an actor and at the depth of feeling conveyed.


I did take Alison and Jake's advice - I took tissues and I wore no mascara. I'm glad for that because I was in tears long before the end. And I'm glad to report that the cinema was packed and appreciative. People quietly applauded and, among the comments, I heard very impressed and moved individuals praise the film. One guy reminded his friend of Jonathan Ross' review and said that JR had been impressed by the risks that Gavin had taken with the structure. The risks, the guy said, went beyond that.


These were serious moviegoers in the audience with me tonight and it was a huge success. As I left, the attendant asked me if I'd liked it. I said (and the red, puffy eyes may have been a give away) it was a great film and he should tell his friends to see it. You should, too. For all those fortunate enough to be able to see Rendition tomorrow, I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing what you think.

I'm proud of you, Jake.


Pictures from IHJ.

Rendition - a tremendous piece of drama - complicated, compelling and stylish

Jonathan Ross, arguably Britain's most influential film critic, tonight delivered his opinion of Rendition in the UK's premiere film review programme, Film 2007, and it was superlative. Thanks once again to the wonderful Twisted Logic - here is the review and interview with Jake.

There are several films being released this Autumn and Winter on the War on Terror and the war in Iraq and Jonathan Ross would love them to have 'half of [Rendition's] urgency and quality'.


'It sets out to do a difficult job and does it spectacularly well'.

'Complicated issues are dealt with in a way that doesn't duck their complexity.'

A 'gripping drama'.

'The subtle, effective work of Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon suggests they're both maturing into major figures in modern American film.'


'Meryl Streep is predictably brilliant.'

Of Yigal Naor - 'I found myself knocked sideways.' This was 'one of many sources of satisfaction.'

'It's just a very complicated, compelling and stylish film - a tremendous piece of drama, which takes exciting risks with its structure and never loses sight of the big question it's raising.'


Film 2007 included a brief interview with Jake

Jake: 'It's more important that a discussion is started than that there's an opinion.'

Jake: 'Politics don't really move my heart. Movies are the opportunity to sit in the dark and explore things that you wouldn't normally explore.'

Jake: 'This has a message that I believe needs to be out there along with a human story.'

So great and so important to have this review from Film 2007 - this undoubtedly will put bums on seats. Three days to go and I for one can hardly wait.

Pictures from IHJ. This is the second post tonight - please don't forget to look at the last post for a very entertaining radio interview broadcast today in the UK.

Jake fits in lunch and a premiere - and talks Rendition (with the occasional b**p)

And so it begins... There is so much to report on tonight, I think you should sit back, kick your shoes off, open a bottle of something, open a box of something (preferably with soft centres), take some deep breaths and try and keep up with busy Jake. Let's being with...


10 October 2007 - Lunch

The 10 October kicked off for Jake with lunch at favourite Joan's on Third with a good friend (how I wish we had valet parking round here). It looks like the meal was too good to leave unfinished, so Jake left with a bag of extras and was in the mood for an infamous Gyllenhug, amid smiles.





10 October - LA Premiere

That evening, out of the blue - a la Zodiac LA premiere - a premiere for Rendition was held in LA at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences theater. No crowds, no fans, just press, cast and guests. The kind of event that makes me extol the virtues of the film festival to the high heavens. Movie fans are a crucial part of a film's success but it's a sorry state of affairs to see them take absolute bottom place in a studio's list of priorities (a stark contrast to London's celebration of Jamie Foxx and The Kingdom last week). But on the plus side, there were some fabulous photos from the premiere and from the party in Beverly Hills afterwards. It was also good to see the wonderful Meryl Streep in attendance.






Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was at the premiere in LA last night and she took the time to talk about her long acquaintance with the young Jake Gyllenhaal: "He was a friend of my son (Henry) in grammar school and would come over to my house to play. I remember … his sister, Maggie, was having a '20s speakeasy party, and the boys were bartenders." The thought of Jake serving drinks from a bar... mine's a double.


Two Sides of a Story

Thanks to Stephanie at IHJ, all of us can now see last night's HBO special Two Sides of a Story: The Making of Rendition. It is spoilery in one sense, it spends some time talking about the filming of one explosive scene which dictates much of what else happens in Rendition. So if you don't want to see it just yet, remember to watch it after 19 October or when the film reaches your shores. It shows that the film was all about presenting a balanced story. In the words of screenwriter, the Lovely Kelley Sane, 'if you want security, this is the cost.' Gavin Hood praises Jake for creating a character that is detached while still maintaining a contact with the audience.


Gavin describes filming in Morocco as 'cinematically a dream' and the film shows his transformation of a town centre in this 'fictional North African country.' Meryl discusses the complexity of her role and expresses sympathy for those who are drawn to be public servants. Her character is 'standing in for America.' Reese Witherspoon reflects that she was so drawn to her role - that of an American living as part of a Muslim family - that she was the first to sign on for Rendition.


Cinemax press conference videos

In these two video links (thanks Jantoinette!), you can see Jake, Gavin, Peter and Reese discuss Rendition for Cinemax. It includes parts of the infamous pie chart scene but these are not spoilery. They are well worth watching for Jake's correction of Gavin for calling his character a CIA officer and not an analyst (this is in the first clip). Also in the first clip Gavin praises Jake for his good work, to which Peter pipes up saying Jake did 'a really f*****g good job.' Jake responds with 'Thank you very f*****g much.' Do yourselves a favour and watch the clip! Part 2 is here.


Yet again, Jake heaps praise on the shoulders of Matt Damon for his role in The Good Shepherd - 'I think that's a great performance.' He also says - showing that perfect comic timing again - he stole from Richard Burton and The Spy Who Came in From The Cold.


Pictures from IHJ - there are plenty more there! Source for picture of Meryl.

Rendition - first look at the poster! And it's a goodie

We are geting close! The lack of a poster for Rendition, or much publicity at all bar a trailer, has been commented upon, but today we get our first look at the poster and I have to say I like it - not least because Jake Gyllenhaal's name tops the bill. And how good it is to see Jake on a poster with such people as Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin - great company indeed. Thanks very much to Carla for finding the link for us. Click and it shall be big.


Picture from Cinematical.