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Jake Gyllenhaal is Disney’s Prince of Persia

By M&C Movie News May 21, 2008, 1:24 GMT

The rumors have turned out to be true and Disney has announced Jake Gyllenhaal will star in the studio’s upcoming adaptation of the hit video game Prince of Persia. Jake Gyllenhaal - Rendition Premiere - Arrivals - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - Beverly Hills, CA, USA © GL / PR Photos

Jake Gyllenhaal - Rendition Premiere - Arrivals - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - Beverly Hills, CA, USA © GL / PR Photos Variety reports Disney has signed Gyllenhaal to topline Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - the Jerry Bruckheimer produced big budget adaptation of the Ubisoft hit fantasy game. Gemma Arterton has been cast as the female lead in the film - which Bruckheimer and Disney hope to launch into new franchise.The film is scheduled to start production in July with filming taking place in Morocco and London. Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) is directing the film from a screenplay by Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Boaz Yakin and the game's creator, Jordan Mechner.Disney plans to release the film as a summer tentpole in 2009.Gyllenhaal has been cast as Dastan - a prince in sixth-century Persia who must join forces with the exotic princess Tamina (Arterton) to stop a villain from possessing the Sands of Time.The film will mark the first time Gyllenhaal has worked with Bruckheimer, but the producer has said he has been looking forward to working with the actor for some time.In Variety, Bruckheimer stated: "He's a wonderful actor. He's someone I've been watching for a long time and somebody I've always wanted to work with."Gyllenhaal has reportedly been eyeing the role since April, and was one of several actors (including Orlando Bloom) rumored to be in talks for the part.