Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is recognized for a number of roles that were featured throughout films including Donnie Darko, Nightcrawler, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and the upcoming Road House remake. Recently, however, there were claims that Jake Gyllenhaal showed “unhinged” behavior on the set of a film production.
It’s worth noting that this alleged production, however, never worked out. In fact, it’s believed that the film – which would’ve been helmed by director Thomas Bidegain – was shut down after just four days and ten months developing the script with Gyllenhaal and alleged potential co-star Vanessa Kirby.
Now, as shared via AV Club, StudioCanal – the studio which would have been behind the film – has refuted Bidegain’s claims while stating this film was never greenlit. Furthermore, the publication summarized some of Bidegain’s claims, which included the following:
“Bidegain claims Gyllenhaal and Kirby “humiliated” him by reading the script in a ‘Pepe Le Pew’ accent. In his account, he also claims that Gyllenhaal required specific travel requests, including demanding a car that was ‘neither red nor white’ as he refused to fly out of COVID concerns. Strangely, Bidegain also makes note of how concerned Gyllenhaal was about catching COVID in 2021—when the trip occurred—and mocked the actor for refusing to take off his mask, arguing the virus wasn’t an issue in Iceland.”
Obviously these are some rather serious claims made against Jake Gyllenhaal and his reportedly unhinged behavior. Here’s the statement released by StudioCanal in response:
“Creative differences are very normal, if unfortunate, regularities in film development. In this case, there were concerns which simply could not be overcome despite great efforts on both sides. We greatly value all our relationships at STUDIOCANAL and are happy that Thomas Bidegain was able to fulfill his vision on the French language version of SUDDENLY. We remain deeply committed to our working partnerships with both Thomas Bidegain and Jake Gyllenhaal, with whom we have always enjoyed a very strong creative relationship.”
Bidegain claims that these creative differences, which the publication notes included neither Gyllenhaal or Kirby being satisfied with the script, led to the director making a new version of the film in France. This version, titled Suddenly, starred Gilles Lellouche and Mélanie Laurent.
As such, it seems difficult to determine what really happened during the pre-production and initial production for this particular Gyllenhaal venture. And, of course, whether or not Bidegain’s claims hold any merit. Nevertheless, he still got his vision onto the screen, in the form of Suddenly.