Inspired by the best-selling videogame series, Walt Disney Pictures and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the team behind the blockbuster franchise Pirates of the Caribbean , bring The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time to the big screens today.
Mixing mirth with magic and action, The Prince of Persia… is the story of Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal), a royal with something to prove.
After being saved from a life on-the-streets by the King, Dastan must join forces with high priest Tamina (Gemma Arterton) to safeguard the Sands of Time — a mystical substance that has the ability to turn back the clock. But, with plenty desperate to get their hands on the Sands and the iconic Dagger of Time, the pair must battle the odds in this quest, full of twists and turns.
An Academy Award-nominated actor, Jake Gyllenhaal takes the lead in this blockbuster, and admits he trained hard for the wealth of heavy action sequences. Excerpts from an interview.
What attracted you to the movie and the role of Prince Dastan?
When I spoke to director Mike Newell, I realised it wasn't just a videogame adaptation; it was an epic he had in the works. They had a classic story that was real. My role was unlike anything I'd ever played — every day during filming, you must keep in your mind where you are and how you got there.
How did you get prepared for the role?
I did a lot of training, running, working out and different types of sports. I was training as if I was going into a battle. It was also about being able to jump over walls, climb and run on them. I simulated that as much as I could in training. It helped that I enjoy being outdoors!
How much of stunts and Parkour have you been able to do yourself?
I worked in Los Angeles for a few weeks with a Parkour guy. Surprisingly, a lot of what they taught me just started to come easily. There is a lot of hanging and learning how to move your body the right way. It is all about the landing. But, if there is one thing I've learned — if someone asks you to do something, you've just got to try it. The Prince of Persia… gave me the opportunity to do a lot of crazy things that I wouldn't have normally done.
Were there any scenes Any scene you were desperate to do yourself, play a part in rather than have a stuntman do it for you?
There's a scene with ostriches. We were told beforehand that they could tear our hearts out with their claws. So, we were shaking. When my stuntman was in the ring with an ostrich, I thought: ‘I've got to get in there. When am I ever going to be in a cage with ostriches?' So I got in, and they were the sweetest things! Every day is like that — an experience. You've got to just get in there and do it.
Have you played the Prince of Persia games before?
When I was young, I played the game a lot. But, what was important for me was to bring some realism into this world. I feel a responsibility because the Prince in the video games has a personality. He has a story, but you don't really know it. As an actor, you get to make a new path for what the character is.
How did you cope with the heat when filming in Morocco?
I actually enjoyed the heat. The one promise I made to everyone in this film (as most of them are British and I am from Southern California) was that I would not complain about the heat. The desert is a wonderful place to be — when you're equipped with lots of water, of course!
Assuming the first is a success, Are you looking forward to the prospect of shooting one or two more Prince of Persia sequels?
Yes. After doing this, it will be hard to go back to smaller characters. There's a type of high when you make a movie such as this. Even on my Sundays off, I worked out twice, as that was where my head was. I am prepared for whatever comes my way.
