Has Jake Gyllenhaal gone completely method on us? The 36-year-old actor is making the promotional rounds for his upcoming sci-fi/horror flick, Life, where he plays an astronaut fighting a nasty alien life form picked up from Mars that is set on destroying the earth. In preparation for his role, Jake consulted with astronauts, trauma doctors and even worked with a zero-gravity-movement coach to effectively convey the physical and mental toll that space travel takes on a person. But, as far as the existence of life on other planets, Jake feels that we may not be alone out there. Jake told the New York Daily News that, “I believe there’s so much yet to be explored. I think absolutely, there is no doubt in my mind — whether or not they’re friendly or already here — I think there’s a lot left to explore.”

As for making a movie that sounds like something we’ve all seen a million times before, Jake promises that the film will thrill. He told The Guardian that Life‘s screenplay left him “legitimately terrified.” But, after dramatic turns in serious movies like Nocturnal Animals and Nightcrawler, Jake just wanted a little fun, confessing “after playing role after role where I’ve given a ton of time in preparation, I made a resolution to just enjoy myself making a big, fun movie.”

There was lots of fun on the set, especially between Jake and his Life co-star, Ryan Reynolds. Jake told Variety at the film’s SXSW screening, “We were laughing all the time. None of us, with the exception of me, takes themselves that seriously, so there was a really wonderful spirit on set the whole time.” In fact, Jake and Ryan have developed quite the bromance. Ryan told Good Morning America that “He’s easily the most interesting actor working in Hollywood today.” He went on to say Jake was one of his favorite actors, as well as “one of the kindest guys I’ve ever met. We’re hanging out all the time. We live near each other. I live up in the ‘burbs.” And, to prove his affection for his friend/co-star, Ryan laid down the gauntlet, telling GMA that Jake is a better cook than his wife, actress Blake Lively. “My wife is very good at cooking, and Jake might just be a little bit better. He can throw down. It gets very competitive.” If I were Blake, those would definitely be fighting words. I can’t begin to tell you how many cooking challenges Kevin and I have gone head-to-head on (and I must admit, we’re about 50/50 on wins and losses).

If Jake’s not busy enough, Jake has been burning up the Broadway stage with his performance as painter Georges Seurat in the revival of the Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George. Of his stage work, he told the Daily News he’s “finally found my home in a lot of ways,” adding, “It’s been an incredible journey to Broadway with this piece and unexpected in all the best ways, and it feels like that every night too. It couldn’t really get any better to tell you the truth.” The theater nerd in me is delighted for Jake’s Broadway success. Not sure about Life, but two hours with Jake and Ryan can’t be all bad, right?