Prince of Persia at Comic-Con: Jake Gyllenhaal 'was bigger than his stunt doubles'

Yesterday, Jordan Mechner, Todd McFarlane and Nachie Castro (editor of the Disney book group) took to the Comic-Con stage to discuss the Prince of Persia grahic novel and, happily and inevitably, the movie that has inspired and shaped it. Castro: 'it’s going to blow everybody away'. And then there's the prince himself, Jake Gyllenhaal.


McFarlane of Jake: the 'dude’s in fantastic shape. My wife, always a big fan, said he went from handsome to stud. I think divorce papers are in order now. He’s acting the part, but he looks the part. It’s superheroic. He was bigger than his stunt doubles. We’ll have the toys, too!'

You can read a full account here. Many thanks to Monia for the heads up on the new Disney Prince of Persia webpage, complete with moving art.

The PoP Graphic Novel's cover and Jake gets another brother

Having survived a day with a loose (not to mention cross and probably miserable) scorpion that the Royal Mail kindly delivered to us today in a mailbag, I can only sympathise with the cast and crew of The Prince of Persia who had to endure something similar at Pinewood this summer - although I think they should keep their scorpions to themselves. Everything seems PoPish at the moment. And it continues.


Having discussed yesterday the bunch of books that Disney intend to publish next April to mark the release of the film, today we got the first glimpse of the cover art for Jordan Mechner's graphic novel which will be discussed at Comic-Con this Friday. It is the work of spider-man artist Todd McFarlane. Thanks to Spawn for the picture. Looks spikey.


Todd spoke to USA Today a little about the brief 'saying he imagined Prince as light-hearted entertainment "but a little more serious" than the Pirates of the Caribbean films. "It's a big brand with a big producer," he says, "and by the way throw the word 'Disney' on top."'


There has been some disappointment that Disney isn't giving the movie itself (and Jake Gyllenhaal) a big push at Comic-Con this year. Variety has come up with an explanation for its very noticeable absence: 'Things have changed so much that some stars and filmmakers actually have to be discouraged from attending the convention when they have nothing to show or the timing interferes with the strategic rollout of the film's publicity campaign. After announcing Zachary Quinto as the new Spock in 2007, J.J. Abrams wanted to tout "Star Trek" the following year, but the studio convinced him the release was too far out. Likewise, Disney sources claim they were contemplating a big debut for Jerry Bruckheimer's "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" with first-time attendee Jake Gyllenhaal, but decided to follow "Trek's" example since the swashbuckling adventure doesn't open until May 2010.'


Should have known it was all Spock's fault...


Meanwhile, in other movie news, Jake has gained another brother - as if Tobey Maguire wasn't enough. The new brother is the comedian Josh Gad. Josh will play a 'vulgar but successful dot-com entrepreneur who moves in with Gyllenhaal.' I'm intrigued by what type of film this will be - a screwball comedy, a sharp satire or something blacker - or a mix? Empire is also wondering. The great news about the casting is that it means this project continues apace and there is no reason to doubt a September start.


Includes pictures from IHJ and links.