Racing with the Moon (men)

The Chilmark Road Race reports continue. Doug Liman blogged about running the race with Jake Gyllenhaal:

So this weekend was the Chilmark Race at Martha’s Vineyard, where I was convinced by Jake Gyllenhaal, who also has a house on the Island, to compete in the front group who compete to do six-minute miles. ...

So in spite of being such a dilettante runner, I was pretty proud at first because I did manage to leave Jake in the dust at the beginning. Apparently, that had less to do with my running powers and more to do with the fact that someone ran into the back of his shoe and he ran right out of it. It actually went flying over us. I like to think of it as me making him eat my dust. But he did catch up and pass me.

You can see Doug Liman just behind Jake in the starting line.







Doug also blogged this week about the Untitled Moon Project, which even he acknowledges needs a real name. Sounds like it will be his next movie and that he and Jake have been working on it:

And it now looks like my Untitled Moon Project (it really needs a title) is next, because Simon Kinberg (my partner from Mr. and Mrs. Smith) just did some amazing work on it.

Every draft of the script has been really exciting and really solid. The movie is about a private expedition to the Moon — present day. Not science fiction. So real, in fact, that I debated spending $100 million to make the movie or $100 million to really go to the Moon and just shoot a documentary there. The heroes of my film steal all the old Apollo parts to rebuild Apollo 18, which was canceled in 1972 before it launched. ...

The other thing that I think Simon is nailing is an amazing character not only for Jake Gyllenhaal to play but also for the other lead to play — an amazing female character — as well as a great love story. Jake’s been a lot like Matt Damon was in The Bourne Identity — these are actors who are fiercely committed to doing something original, not derivative — off the beaten path. And we’re writing Moon for Jake’s voice. That part of the process has been sitting in rooms with him, riffing out dialogue, and figuring out not only what would be the best character for the movie but who the best character is for Jake for this movie. So from a character standpoint the script took a tremendous leap forward.

I think he means that Jake has been working on it with them. In any case, it's great to hear that they are really paying attention to character.

No timeline for the project. We'll have to keep an eye on Liman's blog for more details.

In other Jake movie news, IFC places Nailed on its list of movies waiting to see the light of day. I really hope we get to see it at some point!


And just because:





(Photos courtesy of Martha's Vineyard Gazette and Boston.com.)

"The best race in the world"

Well, it has the best photos, at least! This Jake Gyllenhaal picture deserves its own new post:



The race was not without celebrity moments and glitches — sometimes both at once. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal lost a shoe and precious seconds. “I had to wrestle for it,” he said. Despite the mishap, he enthused, “It’s the best race in the world, man.”








Jake and director Doug Liman, courtesy of boston.com:

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Old event, but a new (albeit blurry) photo. But worth revisiting :)



(Photos courtesy of Martha's Vineyard Gazette, JustJared, Boston.com and flickr/jacksmynde.)

Running man

Looks like Jake Gyllenhaal did run the Chilmark Road Race. He didn't make it to the front of the starting line, as he did a couple of years ago. But it's good to know Beard Man's spot is secure.





Jake and director Doug Liman, courtesy of boston.com:



2007:



2009:



That could be Jake at the left between 150 and 1034, with his head bent. That would also mean that Jake is wearing some unfortunate socks.

Jake was a bit off his 2007 pace, but he didn't have the prime starting spot, either.



Let's look at Jake's running form over the years.






(Photos courtesy of PopSugar, Cool Running and IHJ.)

First names only

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon attended the Elton John/Billy Joel concert last night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.







Elton John dedicated "Tiny Dancer" to Reese Witherspoon, who was sitting front and center, during his set Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, part of his "Face 2 Face" concert series with Billy Joel.

When the in-stadium camera crew showed her face and that of her son on the big screen, Witherspoon quickly flashed a sheepish look that indicated she'd been busted. Her son was wearing headphones to protect his hearing.

Witherspoon, in Philly through October shooting the James L. Brooks comedy that also features Jack Nicholson, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson, was at the show with her son and daughter and beau Jake Gyllenhaal. ...

Witherhaal (or Gyllenspoon) left during John's set in an SUV. Gyllenhaal was at the wheel.

Witherspoon made friends on the set Friday by having Rita's water ice sent in for 150 people.

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In other local Philly news, the Rodin Museum has moved their most famous sculpture, The Thinker, indoors to prepare for renovation of the museum. Naturally, this got me thinking about the contemplative poses of a more modern Penseur:











(Photos courtesy of Just Jared, Delaware Online and IHJ.)