A unique lead duo have been cast in the new remake of 1989 Patrick Swayze film Road House. Jake Gyllenhaal has signed on to star in the film alongside MMA star Conor McGregor, which is being developed for Amazon.
The original film is a campy action movie that quickly became a cult hit. Swayze starred as a bouncer at a Missouri bar who becomes the target of a local businessman looking to control the whole town.
The remake will reportedly follow Gyllenhaal as an ex-UFC fighter who gets hired as a bouncer at a rough-and-tumble roadhouse in the Florida Keys, but quickly learns that his new home is not the paradise it seems on the outside. It’s unclear what McGregor’s role will be, but it is confirmed to be an original character and not an extended cameo as himself.
The film should be in good hands behind the camera, as Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, The Bourne Identity) is directing from a script written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. Bagarozzi co-wrote The Nice Guys alongside Shane Black, and he and Mondry are also penning Black’s next film Play Dirty, which will star Robert Downey Jr.
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said about the Road House remake:
“Road House is a homerun for us. Not only is it a nod to fans of the original, but it is also a big, fun, broad audience movie. We are thrilled to collaborate with Joel, Doug, and this great cast led by Jake Gyllenhaal, and for them to come together to reimagine the classic MGM film as an action-packed adventure for our global audience.”
Karen Kessler, McGregor’s spokesperson, added:
“Conor is very excited to expand his storied career to Hollywood and join with Jake Gyllenhaal in this reimagining of Road House, a beloved classic. While fighting remains his top focus, this is the beginning of another successful venture in the McGregor empire. He is eager to get started filming.”
This certainly seems like the perfect film for McGregor to make his acting debut on. It will be interesting to see how he does on screen. Being able to act alongside an all-time talent like Gyllenhaal will surely help.
Production on Road House will begin later this month in the Dominican Republic.
#Peace.Love.RoadHouse
