“I have definitely wanted to play superheroes in the past,” Jake Gyllenhaal told MTV News in October 2007, “but for one reason or another, it hasn’t ever worked out.”

Until now. This May, the 29-year-old actor leaves behind the indie roles and auteur projects that have largely comprised his cinematic résumé and lands in the supernatural whirlwind of the ancient world in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Why now? Why with this particular adventure story?

“He was desperate to get his hands on the physical side of things,” director Mike Newell told MTV News.

Though he packed on the muscle to become Prince Dastan, who must deliver the magical Dagger of Time to an ancient temple while avoiding the nasty demon on his trail, Gyllenhaal didn’t make for the archetypal Hollywood hero of all pecs and no brains.

“You couldn’t just have a hunk,” said Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”). “He’s got a sort of cheeky, devil-may-care light in his eye and at the same time he has a sensitivity, delicacy and thinness-of-skin. He is glorious looking, but you wanted more than that. You wanted women to be interested in him not just as a piece of eye candy. … It was a huge opportunity to do a thinking woman’s action hero.”

That may be where Gyllenhaal’s abs come into play. Surely no set of stomach muscles have generated as much press since Taylor Lautner unleashed his flesh for “New Moon.” Newell said that Gyllenhaal’s brawny physique had nothing to do with moviemaking magic and everything to do with hard work.

“He worked his ass off,” the director said. “A great deal of what you see in the movie is Jake. It’s not a stuntman. He rides [horses] like a dream. He learned every one of those fights — it’s like ballet. He’d get it wrong, he’d get it wrong, he’d get it wrong and then by God, he’d get it right! He’s a very courageous young man.”

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Jake Gyllenhaal wanted to make sure no sandals were worn in ‘Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’ because it’s ”not that” kind of film.

Jake Gyllenhaal wouldn’t wear sandals in ‘Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’.

The 29-year-old actor admits he didn’t want the fantasy adventure to be perceived as a “swords and sandals epic” and did his best to avoid stereotyping.

He said: “This is not a swords and sandals epic. It’s definitely not that. None of us wear sandals in this movie. I made a very conscious decision and it was very important to me that I did not wear sandals.

“This is a huge, classic epic filled with real characters. It has those wonderful old-school elements you love about film and yet at the same time it’s right there on the cutting edge.”

Discussing the toned physique he displays in the movie – in which he stars alongside British actress Gemma Arterton and ‘Rules of Engagement’ star Ben Kingsley – Jake admits it took a look of preparation.

He said: “I worked out for seven months. I wanted to be able to be able to do this stuff. And being intimidating was important. Even if it’s just for myself, being confident fighting the stuntmen!”

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Jake Gyllenhaal has admitted that he wants to become known for his physical performances.

The actor, who stars in the upcoming Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, has said that being known as an action star has been his dream since childhood.

Speaking to Total Film, the 29-year-old said: “I’ve always wanted to do this – it’s like a childhood dream. I love being physical, I’m very athletic and I like pushing myself. And I also like combat. Any opportunity to fight!”

Gyllenhaal, who previously admitted that he has always wanted to be an action hero, also insisted that he has never been hesistant to perform his own stunts and said that in the new Prince of Persia movie he injured himself regularly.

He said: “Even if I didn’t pull it off and they had to use stuntmen, I would always try it first.

“I pulled some shoulders and I strained some backs and I screwed up my ankles a few times but nothing to worry about.

“On one take, I actually punched a guy in the face by mistake. I spend the rest of the takes trying not to punch him in the face, which is a strange irony really.”

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time arrives in cinemas on May 28.

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Added some new Behind the Scenes pictures and 1 new movie still from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Gallery Links:
Movie Productions > Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) > Behind the Scenes
Movie Productions > Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) > Stills

Prince Of Persia star Jake Gyllenhaal is quite a ‘goofy’ person, according to his co-star Gemma Arterton.

Arterton, 24, plays the role of Tamina opposite Gyllenhaal in the new movie, which is out later this year.

Asked about working with Gyllenhaal, she said: ‘He’s absolutely gorgeous and lovely, and quite goofy once you get to know him.

‘The film was originally a video game so there was a lot of pressure on him from the fans, but he really went for it – he worked out every day, on top of filming. I’ve got no idea how he managed it.’