104
TALKINGSUPERHEROES...
‘ITHINKTOM
ISTHEBEST
SPIDER-MAN’
E
ver since his celebrated role as
troubled Donnie Darko in the 2001
hit film, actor Jake Gyllenhaal
has thrilled audiences with his
varied and captivating performances.
While Jake, 38, has often stuck to indie
films, he is changing pace and taking
on his first superhero role in
new blockbuster Spider-Man:
Far From Home. He and
Tom Holland, who plays
Spider-Man, are the dynamic
duo saving the world,
but with plenty of twists
and turns thanks to Jake’s
character Mysterio!
While Jake has dated
Hollywood stars including
Kirsten Dunst and Reese
Witherspoon, he is now
keeping his private life out of
spotlight. However, he is rumoured to be
seeing 23-year-old model Jeanne Cadieu.
One person he is happy to speak about
is his sister, Maggie, who is a star in her
own right. Of his sibling, Jake admits: ‘I
am so profoundly proud of her. I look up
to her a lot and I will do anything to make
people know how extraordinary she is.’
Here, he discusses his love for the
humble pillow, his craft and his sister...How does it feel to be part of the
Marvel superhero universe?
Shooting Spider-Man was intimidating but
fun. I loved being part of the action and
stunts. You get thrown in the deep end on
a big movie like this, it took me about two
months to figure out what was going on.What’s it like to work with Tom Holland?
I adore Tom. I love his commitment to his
craft and I think he’s the best Spider-Man
around. He’s humble, as well as deferential
to the people around him.Do you get along with your sister,
Maggie Gyllenhaal?
My sister is incredible. She’s been very
outspoken as a woman in these current
times. She’s always been like that. I
grew up in household full of supremely
intelligent and fierce women. If I talk about
her more, it’ll make me cry, because I think
my sister is extraordinary.What’s your favourite thing about her?
She works on herself and her work, she
pushes herself. She will always be my big
sister and we have had our complications,
but I am so profoundly proud of her. I look
up to her a lot and I will do anything to
make people know how extraordinary she
is. I love her.Do you enjoy living in
New York?
I spend a lot of time away.
There’s a lot of travel with
work, but I also like being
out in the wilderness. I did
a film in Spain a while ago- there was no cell phone
service. It was bliss.
What did you do instead?
I’d find myself sitting on a
rock or leaning on a tree or putting my feet
in the river. I get into an obsessive mindset
when I’m working, but I let that go.Do you enjoy visiting the UK for work?
I love the parks in the UK. I have a German
shepherd, who is the best, but in Central
Park, you can take your dog off the leash
before 9am – but you get a ticket after. It’s
harsh. In the UK, you can be off-leash most
of the time. I think that’s because people
are more responsible here.What’s your idea of luxury?
Cartier, Calvin Klein, the scent of Eternity.
Plus, I also have a very important and
strange obsession with pillows. I honestly
don’t think pillows are given enough
credit. I am obsessed with pillows.
And unwinding. Pillows are where
I unwind!How many pillows do you have
on your bed at home?
Is the question: ‘Have you dated
any pillows?’ [Laughs] The answer
to that is: ‘Yes, I actually have.’
No. In all seriousness, I have a
lot of pillows. I have about six
pillows on my bed.
‘SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME’ IS OUT NOWOK!JAKEGYLLENHAALONHISNEWFILMLIFE
INTHEUKANDHISLOVEOFTHEWILDERNESSAbove: ‘I am obsessed
with pillows,’ says
Jake. ‘And unwinding.’
Below: With Tom
Holland in Spider-
Man: Far From Home.
Above left: With his
actress sister Maggieg ppINTERVIEW BY ALAN TANNER PHOTOGRAPHS
BY FILMMAGIC, SONY PICTURES, WIRE IMAGE