Dear Gamers: Please See My Movie. Love, Jake Gyllenhaal
And this is what it has come to apparently. While promoting Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, star Jake Gyllenhaal has taken to begging for the approval of the finicky gamer audience to see his new, video game-based, movie. Because the only thing that can sink the box office potential of a movie faster than negative reviews is negative reviews from a niche audience of demographically friendly fans who will see the movie anyway. You tell 'em, Jake!
As Gyllenhaal said at the London premiere:
"I know ... this will not appease all gamers, and I know there is a lot of skepticism about the translation of a video game to a movie, but I also feel excited that I think we've done something that's better than any of the translations that have come out thus far.
These games haven't been given the respect they deserve in the movie world, and I think (producer) Jerry (Bruckheimer) has done that and I think that we tried so hard to make it our own and at the same time stay true to the games.
Never mind the depressing nature of a statement like "we tried so hard to make it our own and at the same time stay true to the games" -- because, no -- but who does Gyllenhaal think he's fooling here? Somehow I doubt Bruckheimer and company were sitting around talking about respecting the video game. And they shouldn't. This is a mass-market tentpole along the lines of Pirates of the Caribbean, not Resident Evil. Who really cares what the gamers think?
Well, apparently Gyllenhaal. But he's ready for the slings and arrows:
They (the gamers) are tough, and I appreciate that. I come from a tough family. I don't mind tough critics."
Unless they're David Fincher, right? Ahem.
· Gyllenhaal Ready for 'Prince of Persia' Sequel [THR]
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Comments
Wow, why so hostile? The guy's acknowledging the source of the story and from all accounts, they did try to incorporate the game into the movie.
I can't believe people are still harping on the Fincher thing. It IS ridiculous to do 70 takes for a scene. You know that Robert Downey Jr. likened working with Fincher to being in a gulag. In the same story the Defamer article quotes. But it's so much easier to mock Jake, I guess because he's so dreamy.
Wow, why so hostile? The guy's acknowledging the source of the story and from all accounts, they did try to incorporate the game into the movie.
I can't believe people are still harping on the Fincher thing. It IS ridiculous to do 70 takes for a scene. You know that Robert Downey Jr. likened working with Fincher to being in a gulag. In the same story the Defamer article quotes. But it's so much easier to mock Jake, I guess because he's so dreamy.
Heard you the first time!
Wait, but is he dreamy? I'm unclear on that point.
Oh, you're so clever! Has no one ever double-posted before? Apologies for upsetting your delicate sensibilities.
Nice way to respond to the actual points I was making. You seem to have something against Jake - just trying to figure out why.
Well, apparently Gyllenhaal. But he’s ready for the slings..."
No doubt.
Totally agree that Gyllenhaal's plea is rather depressing, and really points to the elephant in the multiplayer room: what tender core of video games is being lost in "translation"?
I'm not saying a video game can't be art. Ebert stirred a hornet's nest with that statement... but I play games. I watch movies. I don't want to watch Jake Gyllenhaal play my game unless there's a full story and a plot and characters (you know, a movie) there.
Also, I'm glad Jake's family upbringing has prepared him for cries of "n00b fail! RTFM!"
It's easier to mock Jake for Zodiac because it took 70 takes to get a muted dull performance out of him. Seriously, I like him, but as soon as Downey leaves Zodiac Jake G is deadweight, and we have 70 minutes of movie left to spend with him.
That being said, he OWNS Bubble Boy, and I mean that without a trace of sarcasm.
WOW.....
What writes this crap.....whenever I am really interested in somthing here.....you are always so negative and mean just about everything you write about anyone...
But then,,,I guess you are entitiled to your veiw...but maybe you should keep it to yourself...or get someone that sees things as they are.....not so one sided..
.........................
Sort of intriguing stuff but im still a little confused. Are all of you gamers? Do you play MMORPGS?