By Sohaib Shams
Seth Rogen has revealed he initially questioned Jake Gyllenhaal's brooding performance while filming the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko. Speaking in a New York Times oral history marking the film's 25th anniversary, Rogen recalled watching Gyllenhaal on set and wondering how the unconventional portrayal would land.
Rogen, who played the bully Ricky Danforth in his first-ever film role, said Gyllenhaal was not playing a charming version of the troubled teenager. Despite his early skepticism, Rogen found himself inspired by the depth Gyllenhaal brought to the character, noting the actor put a level of thought into the role that Rogen did not realize was possible.
Gyllenhaal described reading the script as a "semi-psychedelic journey" and said he connected with Donnie's struggle to contextualize enormous feelings. The oral history also featured reflections from writer-director Richard Kelly and other cast members, including Drew Barrymore and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Although Donnie Darko disappointed at the box office, it grew into a cultural touchstone, inspiring a 2009 sequel and an upcoming novel by Kelly titled The Philosophy of Time Travel. Rogen said the film endures because it resonates with audiences, a sentiment Gyllenhaal echoed, calling its slow burn "25 years long."
