Advertisement
Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can be a pretty overwhelming experience, even for a veteran actor like Jake Gyllenhaal. During a recent chat on The Howard Stern Show, Gyllenhaal opened up about his challenging experience while filming Spider-Man: Far from Home, revealing that he struggled with nerves so much on his first day that he forgot his lines.
Gyllenhaal made his MCU debut in 2019, playing the charismatic villain Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far from Home, which was the second Spider-Man film featuring Tom Holland. This movie wasn’t just another superhero flick—it also delved into the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, involving characters like Nick Fury and addressing the impact of Tony Stark’s death. So, stepping into this complex, interconnected world was no small feat.
“It was hard,” Gyllenhaal admitted about acting in the film. “That world is enormous. I joined that world way into its run; a train that was already moving. Normally, I come in way early on, and I get to figure it out.” He described the experience as a major shock to the system, even for someone with his extensive experience. On his first day, his anxiety was so intense that he struggled to remember his lines.
“I was freaking out,” Gyllenhaal said. “It was a scene with [Samuel L.] Jackson, Tom [Holland]—there were a number of actors in that scene. And I remember not being able to remember my lines. I was the wooden board.”
To manage his nerves, Gyllenhaal turned to his co-stars for support. “I went up to Tom Holland and was like, ‘Dude, help me out,’” he shared. Holland reassured him, saying, “It’s all good, man. Just relax.” Gyllenhaal found this advice really helpful, and it helped him to calm down and deliver his performance.
Despite the rough start, Gyllenhaal managed to overcome his anxiety and ended up giving a standout performance in the movie.