In space, no one can hear you scream – but in the new issue of Empire (on sale from tomorrow, Thursday 29 January), you can hear Jake Gyllenhaal speak, about his new science-fiction thriller Life. You can also see him, in our world-exclusive pic – take a look below.
Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Life looks a little like Gravity with added extra-terrestrial threats – but unlike Gravity’s CG-enhanced LED lightbox approach, Espinosa keeps things practical. For three months, the cast of *Life, playing the crew of the International Space Station, were pulled around incredibly detailed sets on wires to replicate zero-g.
“It takes a while to get into that space, to access your feelings, explains Gyllenhaal in the new issue of Empire. “There are 40 people pulling us all around from above. The physical part is a huge element of it.”
Gyllenhaal’s co-star, Ryan Reynolds, is more frank about the experience. “You think, 'This is going to be a cinch'. Then they jam this harness on you that puts your testicles in your throat. I sneezed and I am actually now neutered.”
Our commiserations to Mr. Reynolds. For more details on Life – the upcoming sci-fi movie, not the concept and condition of existence – be sure to pick up the new issue of Empire, on sale in all good and evil newsagents from Thursday 29 January. Subscribe to Empire here. Life arrives in cinemas on 23 March.