While recent years have seen Denis Villeneuve release sci-fi features such as “Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049,” and the forthcoming “Dune,” it’s important to not forget some of the earlier, smaller-scale features that really proved that the filmmaker is one of the best. Two of those films, “Prisoners” and “Enemy,” star Jake Gyllenhaal, giving a couple of his greatest performances to date. So, the idea of Villeneuve working with the actor on a new project is almost too good to be true.
Well, thankfully, it appears that the duo is currently collaborating on something new, albeit we don’t have a clue what project this might be. Speaking to Roger Deakins on the Team Deakins podcast, Gyllenhaal talked about how he first started his relationship with VIlleneuve, before production on “Enemy” and how the two can’t wait to work together again on a new project.
The story began with Gyllenhaal describing a memorable dinner where Villeneuve was pitching the actor on the body double thriller, “Enemy.” He said that he believes the filmmaker had a “plant” show up to the table and explains that her son looks identical to Gyllenhaal.
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“I was like, ‘What! And Denis looked at me and was like, ‘You have to do this movie,’” said the actor.
“Denis told me he had to make this movie and he didn’t know why. I just remember Denis saying, ‘I have to make this movie and I have to make it with you. I can find someone else to do it but I can’t get you out of my mind to do it,’” Gyllenhaal added. “That’s very rare.”
He continued, “Denis, to this day, there is something we are working on now and he just writes me, ‘I can’t wait to work with you again.’ And I feel the same way. There are these people you find in your life where you just have these connections. That began that connection.”
READ MORE: Denis Villeneuve Thinks “It Would Be Healthy” For Him To Make A Smaller Film After ‘Dune’
Of course, the tease of a new project is all that is given. Hell, we don’t even know what Villeneuve’s future looks like right now, as he’s putting the finishing touches on “Dune.” We know the filmmaker is hoping to eventually shoot a sequel to the upcoming adaptation, but he also recently discussed a desire to work on smaller films, as it’s been years since he’s released a film anywhere close to resembling “Prisoners” or “Enemy.”
Maybe this project is a smaller film that will once again showcase Villeneuve and Gyllenhaal’s talents and creative relationship. We can only hope.