Seth Rogen admits early doubts about Jake Gyllenhaal’s Donnie Darko performance

Rogen said he initially questioned how Gyllenhaal’s uncharming portrayal would land, but later recognized the depth he brought to the 2001 cult classic.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:46:08 GMT

Seth Rogen told The New York Times that he was initially skeptical of Jake Gyllenhaal’s brooding performance as the titular character in the 2001 film Donnie Darko, before later acknowledging the actor’s thoughtful approach.

What happened

Rogen, who played the bully Ricky Danforth in his first film role, recalled seeing Gyllenhaal on set and wondering how the performance would be received. He said he “didn’t know how this is going to land” and noted that Gyllenhaal was not playing a “charming version” of the character. Later, Rogen said he realized Gyllenhaal had brought a “level of thought” to the role that he had not expected.

What the reports add

Both Independent articles report the same oral‑history interview, but the second piece adds that Gyllenhaal described reading the script as a “semi‑psychedelic journey” reflecting his own adolescent emotions. It also notes that Donnie Darko was a box‑office disappointment in 2001, later gaining a devoted cult following over the past 25 years. Director Richard Kelly is quoted in the second article as saying audiences have grown to appreciate “puzzle‑type” films, and an official sequel novel, The Philosophy of Time Travel, is scheduled for release in December.

What was said

“I remember seeing [Gyllenhaal] on set and being like, ‘I don’t know how this is going to land,’” Rogen told The New York Times, as reported by Independent.
“He wasn’t playing this charming version of it.”
Rogen added, “I remembered thinking he put a level of thought into this that I didn’t even realize, as an actor, was on the table.”
Gyllenhaal later said reading the script felt like a “semi‑psychedelic journey” that captured the overwhelming adolescent emotions he was experiencing at the time.

How it came about

The interview is part of a New York Times oral history marking the 25th anniversary of Donnie Darko. Felo News previously covered the film’s anniversary in Donnie Darko turns 25, reflecting on its cult rise and 2001 release context, noting its modest box‑office and later cult status. Rogen’s reflections add a personal co‑star perspective to that broader narrative.

Key facts

Seth Rogen played bully Ricky Danforth in the 2001 film Donnie Darko. (independent.co.uk)
Rogen initially doubted how Jake Gyllenhaal's performance would be received. (independent.co.uk)
Rogen later praised Gyllenhaal's thoughtful approach to the role. (independent.co.uk)
Donnie Darko was a box‑office disappointment in 2001 but has become a cult classic over 25 years. (independent.co.uk)
A sequel novel, The Philosophy of Time Travel, is scheduled for release in December. (independent.co.uk)