Handsome star Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal was chosen for ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ because of his looks.

The film’s producer Jerry Bruckheimer admits the Oscar-nominated actor was first choice to play the title role because he looked the part.

He said: “For a start he is a wonderful actor and he is very handsome.

“We have done this with so many actors. Will Smith in ‘Bad Boys’, he was seen as a comedic actor. Nicolas Cage in ‘Con Air’. He had always played various characters but was never an action her until that and ‘The Rock’. I’m a fan of certain actors and Jake is one of them.”

Explaining the casting of British actress Gemma Arterton as the Prince’s love interest Tamina, Jerry claims many women were tested but she stood out the most.

He said: “We tested a lot of young actresses and she was by far the most interesting. It sometimes just happens that way.”

He also admits the story has undergone a number of changes as different writers have been available to work on the movie.

He told movie website HeyUGuys.co.uk: “It comes down to the talent you have and who is available. We always have an A-list we want to work with and it is down to finding the most talented writers you can who are available at the time you need them.

“It was always going in the same trajectory but you start by getting the story to work and then you have to get the characters to work and then make sure the action is working. There are all these different layers to go through.”

‘Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’ is due for release on May 28.