Seth Rogen Recalls Doubting Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Donnie Darko’ Performance During Production

Seth Rogen, co-creator of "The Studio," recently opened up about his reservations regarding Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of the lead character in the 2001 science fiction film "Donnie Darko" during the movie’s production two decades prior. As part of The New York Times' oral history for the film, which commemorated its 25th anniversary on Monday, Rogen, who portrayed Ricky Danforth, shared his thoughts on the production.

During one such moment, Rogen admitted to thinking, "I don’t know how this is going to land," as he observed Gyllenhaal on set. He emphasized that Gyllenhaal was not playing the character as a charming figure; instead, he conveyed a depth of thought that Rogen had not anticipated in an actor. Gyllenhaal, who delivered his first film role, was joined by a cast that included Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Mary McDonnell, Katharine Ross, Patrick Swayze, and Noah Wyle.

Written and directed by Richard Kelly, the film centered on Gyllenhaal's character grappling with a mysterious rabbit-suited figure predicting an impending apocalypse. Although "Donnie Darko" did not achieve significant box office success initially, partly due to reduced advertising following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it eventually gained a dedicated following through DVD and VHS sales, midnight screenings, and reissues.

Rogen concluded that, regardless of its initial reception, "If a thing is good and resonates, it will find its people. I think 'Donnie Darko' very much was that."