# Seth Rogen Doubts Jake Gyllenhaal's Donnie Darko Performance

> Seth Rogen recalled doubting Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Donnie Darko' acting during filming two decades ago.
- Title: Seth Rogen Doubts Jake Gyllenhaal's Donnie Darko Performance
- Summary: Seth Rogen recalled doubting Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Donnie Darko' acting during filming two decades ago. Seth Rogen admitted he wasn't convinced Jake…
- Keywords: seth rogen, jake gyllenhaal, donnie darko, trinity audio, new york times, oral history, entertainment, culture, business, Seth, Rogen, Doubts
- Source: TheWrap — https://thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/seth-rogen-donnie-darko-jake-gyllenhaal-doubts
- Author: Alyssa Ray
- Published: 2026-10-28T02:14:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: seth rogen, jake gyllenhaal, donnie darko, trinity audio, new york times, oral history, entertainment, culture, business
## Seth Rogen's Doubts
Seth Rogen admitted he wasn't convinced Jake Gyllenhaal's performance in Donnie Darko would work during production.

> I remember seeing [Gyllenhaal] on set and being like, 'I don’t know how this is going to land'
## Gyllenhaal's Approach
Gyllenhaal was not playing the charming version of the role Rogen expected.

> He wasn’t playing this charming version of it.
## Rogen's Insight
Rogen noted Gyllenhaal put deep thought into the role he didn’t initially recognize.

> I remembered thinking he put a level of thought into this that I didn’t even realize, as an actor, was on the table.
## Key takeaway

Seth Rogen admitted he wasn't convinced Jake Gyllenhaal's performance in 'Donnie Darko' would work during production.