Jake Gyllenhaal ("October Sky") is set to star in the dramatic fantasy-thriller feature "Donnie Darko," with first-time writer and director Richard Kelly at the helm. "Darko," budgeted at under $10 million, is to start shooting in July for Pandora and Drew Barrymore's Flower Films. Told through the eyes of a disturbed teenager (Gyllenhaal), "Darko" is said to combine elements of mystical fantasy and science fiction with a teenage romance. Jason Schwartzman ("Rushmore") was previously in talks to star, but a deal could not be reached (HR 5/15). Barrymore will take a small role in "Darko," playing a high school English teacher. She will also executive produce. Adam Fields, Sean McKittrick and Flower Films' Nancy Juvonen will produce. Pandora, a division of Gaylord Entertainment, will hold worldwide rights to "Darko." Gyllenhaal, repped by CAA, next stars in New Line Cinema's "Trip" (formerly titled "A Leonard Cohen Afterworld"). In addition to portraying real-life rocket scientist Homer Hickam in Universal Pictures' "Sky," the actor's other feature credits include "Homegrown" and "City Slickers."