Well Variety confirmed that news today head on! It’s done, sealed, and delivered.
Today Disney announced that Gyllenhaal will be the star of PRINCE OF PERSIA. He’ll play Dastan, a prince in sixth-century Persia who must join forces with Tamina, a feisty and exotic princess, to prevent a villainous nobleman from possessing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.
They’ve also already cast Tamina. The upcoming QUANTUM OF SOLACE’s Gemma Arterton. Arterton (below) is damn gorgeous.
Being a big fan of the video games, I can tell you that I’m iffy about this news. Iffy in a good way though. I’ve got no gripe with Gemma Arterton as the princess (though I would’ve preferred ). I think Gemma can definately nail the role. Jake on the other hand… I have my doubts.
Don’t get me wrong. Jake Gyllenhaal is a terrific actor and I’ve really dug most of his stuff. I just don’t see him as The Prince. Here’s hopeing he fools me senseless and blows us all away.
I had my hopes for Timothy Olyphant too… We all know how that turned out.
PERSIA comes from scribes Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard, Boaz Yakin, and Jordan Mechner (who created the game). Mike Newell will be directing with Jerry Bruckheimer producing.
Production starts this July in Morocco and London, looking at a big Summer 09 release.