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!

Watch Jake Gyllenhaal read Wilfred Owen for Words of War - video and images

On 8 May, Jake Gyllenhaal attended the Headline Project's Words of War event in NYC and took to the podium to read Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, who died on the Front in 1918. You can read the verse of this beautiful poem here. You can also watch Jake read it here.



At the auction, Jake pledged a '$5,000 donation to go toward training efforts in EMDR, a specific kind of psychotherapy used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder'.

From the Wall Street Journal: 'Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, a friend of the Headstrong Project's chairman and executive director Zach Iscol, read a poem by World War I poet Wilfred Owen, after two other veterans, Gerardo Mena and Garrett Anderson, read their own work. "If I spoke for myself, it would do no service," said Mr. Gyllenhaal. "I'm an actor."'

Photos have also emerged of Jake at the Met Gala which took place on 6 May, including more photos of Jake with good friend Marcus Mumford. Vanity Fair has a funny little detail about last Sunday's Lucille Lortel Awards. '“Don’t cry when you lose!” a playful America Ferrera shouted to fellow nominee Jake Gyllenhaal moments before taking her seat'.

Thanks very much to IHJ for all these lovely pictures and especially for that wonderful video. There are lots more there from Jake's busy week.

Jake Gyllenhaal at the Lucille Lortel Awards and out and about in NYC. Plus a WDW Spring Interlude

Last night (5 May), the Lucille Lortel Awards took place at New York University's Skirball Center. Jake Gyllenhaal had a nomination for his role in If There Is.... but although he didn't win, the next best thing happened. Jake presented an award to his young co-star in the play, Annie Funke, who was hailed as best featured access for her role. Details here. One suspects Jake was very proud indeed.

Meanwhile, Jake has been seen out and about across NYC over the last few days. He was spotted out for a walk on 2 May with End of Watch co-star America Ferrera, who was also at the Lucille Lortel Awards, before later catching up with Marcus Mumford (photos here).America also attended the Lucille Lortel Awards. Later that evening, Jake attended The Great Gatsby after party with its leading lady Carey Mulligan (and wife of Marcus). Good to hear that also sitting at the same table was another co-star of Jake's, Tobey Maguire. This was the place to be. What a shame I live in Oxford and couldn't make it...

On 3 May, Jake was seen out for a walk with his mum Naomi.

Not all potential new movie news is good news. It turns out that we (and I would argue Jake) had a lucky escape. We hear this week that Jake was considered for a role in The Hangover, as was Lindsay Lohan. Takes a deep breath and exhales in relief. It was not meant to be.

Thanks very much to IHJ for the pics! There are plenty more there.

WDW Interlude

Finally, after the most horrible summer and winter on record, Spring has arrived in the UK! We've had two weeks of warm sunshine now and while more snow should not be ruled out it has meant that I've been escaping the four walls of work and home for the glorious, hay fevery countryside. Time for an interlude...

The Rollright Stones

The Roman villa hidden in the woods of Gloucestershire

Spring at the Cotswold Wildlife Park

 

May Day in Oxford

Spring in Avebury

Now you see me...

And now you don't.

Jake Gyllenhaal makes New Yorkers fit and has a chat with Jude Law plus more An Enemy stills

Jake Gyllenhaal is not only personally responsible for making us all want to plant our own vegetables, he's not single-handedly making the men and women of NYC fit. Attendance at Soul Cycle classes has sky rocketed since Jake began to frequent them. There is however a downside. One might get fit but one also might get a broken leg: 'I nearly fell off my bike when I spotted him' said one poor Soul (Cycle) to the media.  A full fitness report can be consulted in the New York Daily News.

Meanwhile, Jake has been spotted having a chat with Jude Law in the streets of NYC, no doubt Jake was signing Jude up for one of his classes.

Yesterday, Jake was back out in NYC, in the rain but with a smile on his face.

On 26 April, Jake walked round NYC reminding us of Spring...

And we have some more stills from An Enemy (Enemy Within), thanks to IHJ!

Good times! Thanks very much to IHJ for the pictures!

UPDATE: Nightcrawler! Jake Gyllenhaal seeing double: First image from An Enemy, plus poetry, basketball and a Drama League Award Nomination

Update! NIGHTCRAWLER!

According to Variety, Jake will be co-producing and starring in (probably) Nightcrawler alongside Rene Russo.

'Jake Gyllenhaal is continuing to focus on edgy, adult thrillers as he is set to star along with Rene Russo in the indie “Nightcrawler” that Tony Gilroy will produce. Dan Gilroy is helming from a script he penned. Story follows the story of a driven young man who discovers the nocturnal world of L.A. freelance crime journalism. Gilroy will produce along with Gyllenhaal and Jennifer Fox along with Michel Litvak and David Lancaster who are producing and financing via their Bold Films banner. Sierra/Affinity will kick off international sales in Cannes. CAA packaged the film and co-represents the film’s North American distribution rights with WME. The film marks the directorial debut for Dan Gilroy, who co-wrote “The Bourne Legacy” with his brother Tony Gilroy.'

So, another 'driven young man' role.... What do you think?

On with the post...

It's been another busy week for Jake Gyllenhaal. It's been so hectic, surely one could be forgiven for seeing double.

Yes, this week we've had the first image of Jake and Jake from An Enemy or Enemy Within. Whatever the title, it's certain that you'll get twice the Jake for the price of a cinema ticket. With the film due this autumn, it can't be too long before we have a trailer. Thanks to IHJ for this! And hot on the heels of the Nailed images too... (see last post - there are more Nailed images featuring Jessica Biel at Jessica.biel.com).

Jake has also been spotted over the last few days in the company of some very familiar faces. On 17 April, Jake attended the Poetry and the Creative Mind event hosted by the Academy of American Poets at the Lincoln Center, NYC. The resulting official pic is a bit of a who's who. Seeing Jake sitting next to one of my favourites, Kathleen Turner, is a cause for celebration.

Jake read Wild Geese by Mary Oliver and Ave Maria by Frank O'Hara. There are more details and images here. This is one of those events I would have loved to have attended.

On 23 April, Jake and Marcus Mumford joined Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor and Spike Lee to watch the Boston Celtics play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Gardens. I must admit that one's eyes are rather distracted in the photo below...

Marcus Mumford, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christine Taylor, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee gave a standing ovation as the Boston Celtics played the New York Knicks during a playoff game at NYC's Madison Square Garden April 23. One has to wonder at Jake's allegiance that night - maybe he cheered for both teams. Whether he liked it or not, Boston Celtics were defeated 87-71. I once umpired a game of basketball in 1985 despite having no knowledge of the rules - so I feel qualified to comment. Thanks to IHJ for the pics!

Also on 23 April, Jake was nominated for a Drama League Award - a Distinguished Performance Award no less - for his performance in If There Is! The awards will be held on 17 May - so much luck to you Jake!

Jake Gyllenhaal - Nailed, Prisoners and Enemy Within. Is Nailed finally within sight?!

I hate to say it, but I'll say it anyway.... are we actually going to see Nailed after all?! I wish I had a pound for every time we've discussed over the years the possibility or otherwise of this doomed project ever seeing the light of day. I'd be rich enough to buy a cow. But Jessica Biel.com has alerted us to the fact that IMDb has given Nailed a 2013 release date with Universal Studios at the helm. This is a vast improvement on the previous infinite 'unknown' date and is also a huge surprise! They also report that there are rumours that Jessica has finally shot those missing scenes (they're the scenes with the nail so are really rather crucial). David O'Russell famously washed his hands of the project but this does sound the most hopeful 'news' we've had yet.

To add the icing on the cake - actually, not just icing but meringues and candles - IHJ has published the first promo shots from Nailed and, well, they contain their own surprises. I've read the script and I'm still surprised!

Thanks to Amanda for the link!

Prisoners

You know a movie's release is getting nearer when ET visit the set. Now is the time for Prisoners. You can watch it here:



There is set footage here:



We also have, thanks again to IHJ, a cast and crew picture.

Enemy Within

Finally, An Enemy is An Enemy no more. It is now 'Enemy Within' - better, I think.

Jake Gyllenhaal - Edible Schoolyard, much food talk, Words of War, a bit of basketball

Jake Gyllenhaal is, I think you'll agree, very edible. It's therefore extremely appropriate that he should be honoured by Edible Schoolyard at its inaugural Spring benefit on 15 April at Essex Market in NYC. This event, hosted by a charity with which Jake has long been actively involved, was supposed to happen last October but was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.

In the New York Observer: “Seriously, it’s one of the areas of my life where I hold everything with love and no judgment,” said the actor. “Anything that is fresh from a garden is my favorite food.” Mr. Gyllenhaal’s mother, screenwriter Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, corroborated his story. Apparently he didn’t even object to broccoli as a kid: “He was very adventurous, and always, from the time he was really little, a spectacular cook,” she said proudly.'

The Wall Street Journal:  'Mr. Gyllenhaal grew up with gardens in his homes in Los Angeles and Martha's Vineyard. We wondered, who had a greener thumb, he or Maggie? "Me," he said, after a short pause. As brothers cannot always be trusted to assess superiority over their sisters, we asked Naomi Foner, Mr. Gyllenhaal's mother. "It's Jake," she said. "He helped me plant our vegetable garden and worked really hard at it."

'Ms. Foner is also a fan of the organization. "Most kids in New York don't see gardens," she said. "And people only know what they know. When you expand their horizons, you're giving them an enormous gift." She then sought out a photo from her iPhone depicting her granddaughter, Gloria, mauling a garden-grown tomato. "I mean, is there anything better than a warm tomato that you grew yourself right off the vine, maybe with a little bit of salt and olive oil?"'

Jake also had this to say during his speech: '“It’s about more than just what you eat—it’s about being connected to the earth,” he explained. “Like, what would New York City be without Central Park? I mean, there’s not much edible food in there…but still. That idea exists within the city, and it should exist in every public school.”

At the event, Jake also mentioned his teenage job as a busboy on Martha's Vineland. His boss was asked all about it in New York Grub Street. 'Well, he was very young. I think he had just turned 16 at the time. On Martha’s Vineyard in July and August, it’s crazy-busy. Every night is like a busy Saturday night, so you need everybody to show up to work, right? He had his mother call into the restaurant to say that he was sick for the day. My buddy and I who ran the place were like, "Oh my God. I can’t believe that Jake’s mother just called to say that he’s home sick and can’t come to work."'

'So the next morning, we went to the drugstore and bought a baby bottle and a little pacifier, and when he came back to work, we gave him so much shit. We just didn’t let up. Every day for the rest of the summer, we kept on giving him water in a baby bottle. He was just telling me how that kind of resonated with him in terms of work ethic, so I thought it was kind of cute.'

Sounds a right hoot... I can see why Jake took up lifeguarding.

Words of War

On 8 May, Jake will take part in another charitable event - Words of War hosted by the Headstrong Project at IAC HQ in NYC: 

'This cocktail fundraiser is designed to further support the mission of the Headstrong Project, to help veterans recover from the hidden wounds of war in order to lead full and meaningful lives. Specifically, “Words of War” will support comprehensive mental healthcare for military veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The evening will include a war poetry reading by Jake Gyllenhaal.' 

There are more details here

In NYC

There are wonderful new old pictures on IHJ of Jake in NYC back in 2011. Last week, though, Jake was also in the city. Jake and 'Jay-Z kicked back at the rapper's 40/40 Club in New York City Monday night, watching the NCAA championship basketball game in the Owner's Lounge. The two, joined by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, exchanged a big hug when they met up, then spent the evening snacking on the club's signature wings and sipping D'Usse cognac.'

Many thanks to IHJ for such fab pics! It's so good to see Jake out and about again, past and present.