08/15/2007
Mike Nichols to Direct Jake Gyllenhaal's Broadway Debut?
Broadway World reports that Mike Nichols may be directing Jake Gyllenhaal in Beau Willimon's political drama Farragut North on Broadway a little over a year from now.
"Nichols takes over directorial reins from James Lapine, who helmed the reading. Oscar-nominee Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Donnie Darko), if confirmed to star, would play 'an idealistic young press secretary who works for a Howard Dean-like presidential contender.' Willimon worked on Dean's 2004 campaign. The production will open next fall, around the time of the 2008 election."
In June, the New York Post reported on a reading staged by Lapine: "Gyllenhaal, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in 'Brokeback Mountain,' took part in a hush-hush reading last week of Beau Willimon's 'Farragut North.' The actor played a young, idealistic communications director who works for an inspiring, though unorthodox, presidential candidate. During the campaign, his career is done in by more seasoned politicos who thrive on poisonous partisan politics, dirty tricks and back-stabbing."
Farragut North is the name of a metro station serving downtown Washington, DC.
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Jake Gyllenhaal Considering Political Play [tr]
Posted 1:55 PM EST by Andy in Jake Gyllenhaal, Mike Nichols, New York, News, Theatre, Washington DC | Permalink
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That cutie Jake will sell plenty of tickets on Broadway. But it sounds like waiting until the fall of 2008 for this play to open will make it too late to matter. It needs to open much sooner!
Posted by: master thespian | Aug 15, 2007 2:15:32 PM
Ok, speaking of Mr. Gyllenhaal, here's a deleted scene from the movie Knocked Up where Mr.G and BBM is referenced. Very f'n funny. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0L1tVbxj14
Posted by: silverskreen | Aug 15, 2007 2:19:16 PM
This may be Jake Gyllenhaal's Broadway debut, but in 2002 I picked up discounted tickets in London for Kenneth Lonergan's "This is our Youth" a three character play with Anna Paquin, Hayden Christensen, and "cast veteran," 21 year old Jake Gyllenhaal. All three were just great, and it was clear that Jake would go far.
Posted by: KenCT | Aug 15, 2007 2:30:35 PM
If Jake doesn't have a hit movie soon, Broadway will be his only hope for a career. He has charisma, but not a lot of range as an actor, and can come across as unpolished. Then again, Julia Roberts won an Oscar, and the same can be said of her--so who knows.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Aug 15, 2007 3:46:33 PM
Anon (gmail.com), Jake doesn't need to have a hit movie to be a successful actor. Lots of great actors aren't about Box Office and chosoe challenging and interesting work. Like Jake, who I think you under estimate in his talent. Shows your limited view point to not give him a chance. And what is wrong with doing Broadway with a great director like Mike Nichols? Nothing just an actor trying to do different things with his career and broaden his range. Which I like. And Jake did very well on the West End in " This Is Our Youth".
Posted by: Mememe | Aug 15, 2007 4:18:49 PM
Yep....I saw "This is Our Youth' as well, and was surprised at both Jake and Hayden's performances. I expected Paquin to do well for some reason, but figured Jake and Hayden for pretty boy so so talents....I was very wrong.
Jake, more than Hayden has been all over the board on his choices and done a good job in all of them.
And Jake...if your reading this....I'm a studly, 24 y/o gay guy who can cook Italian....call me......lol
Posted by: Joshua | Aug 15, 2007 5:56:46 PM
Fed Ex'd to the A list, long before it was his due, Jakes acting chops remains a work-in-progress. His life-long career is assured. He can afford to take his time.
Posted by: zabadak | Aug 15, 2007 6:45:48 PM
I think it's great because I've always thought Jake, with his charismatic, large and overtly expressive facial features, would be a sometimes greater asset to the stage than to the film.
I think the difference between Julia and Jake, anon, is Julia climbed the ladder with safer, more mainstream roles. Jake has always gone in the backdoor (no pun intended. seriously) with smaller roles. I would guess this is because he'd rather climb slow and hone his skill, rather explode fast and fall back to Earth even faster. Plus, he seems like someone who enjoys a bit more independence. To be a Julia or a Madonna, you pretty much sign your life away, if you think about it.
Posted by: Derrick | Aug 15, 2007 8:38:44 PM
"If Jake doesn't have a hit movie soon, Broadway will be his only hope for a career."
HUH? Are we talking about the same Jake Gyllenhaal, or did you happen to see his same-named cousin or something? Let's review: there was a little movie about two cowboys, called...um...Brokeback Mountain. As I remember, Jake was nominated for Best Supoorting Actor. He also won the BAFTA for that category. And he's gotten stellar reviews for everything from October Sky to Donnie Darko to Brokeback and even Zodiac. So, for you to say Jake isn't talented...I don't know what planet you live on, but it seems it's one where people like Jesse Metcalf and Xac Efron are revered as "serious actors'.
Give me a break.
Posted by: devilgirl | Aug 15, 2007 11:04:35 PM