In the highly-anticipated first look at Doug Liman's updated version of the 1989 classic, Road House, we are introduced to Jake Gyllenhaal as the protagonist Elwood Dalton. Gyllenhaal portrays an ex-UFC middleweight fighter who is bound by a tumultuous past. The nearly two-and-a-half-minute trailer showcases a flurry of intense fights, raising anticipation for this gripping action-packed film.
Elwood Dalton finds himself living out of his battered car, participating in underground fighting rings when he is discovered by bar owner Jessica Williams. She extends an offer for him to work at her establishment, mentioning that lately, her roadhouse in the Florida Keys has been attracting undesired clientele. Her proposition comes with the promise of good pay, which is a welcomed sight for Elwood, judging from his dilapidated vehicle.
Elwood Dalton is a man who holds the belief that nobody truly wins in a fight. However, a succession of intimidating individuals, including the arrogant and wealthy developer Grant, played by Billy Magnussen, and the aggressive and confrontational roughneck played by Conor McGregor in his film debut, test his resolve. As Grant persistently throws all he has at Elwood and the bar, our protagonist fights back to protect the place he works at alongside Jessica Williams and Lukas Gage's character, the bar back.
The trailer also introduces other intriguing characters, such as Arturo Castro's character, who describes Elwood as someone who appears amicable, reminiscent of Mr. Rogers. However, behind his friendly demeanor lies a man who can inflict severe damage, as Castro's character can testify to, still bearing the marks from a punishing encounter with Elwood.
There are glimpses of Daniela Melchior's character, Ellie, an ER nurse who emerges as a local lifesaver. We witness her amidst the chaos, as well as other captivating scenes filmed during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 285 in Las Vegas. The teaser truly captures Liman's signature rowdy style, featuring headbutts and explosive boat scenes that contribute to the intensity of Road House.
The film boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Joaquim de Almeida, B.K. Cannon, Beau Knapp, and Darren Barnet. It is based on the original 1989 Road House screenplay written by David Lee Henry and Hilary Henkin, with a story by Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry, and David Lee Henry. The screenplay for this updated version was penned by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry. Joel Silver serves as the producer, with executive producers JJ Hook, Alison Winter, Aaron Auch, and Audie Attar.
Fans of this thrilling remake can mark their calendars for the film's debut on Prime Video, set for release on March 21. However, amidst the excitement surrounding the streaming release date, director Doug Liman announced that he would not be attending the film's SXSW premiere in March. Liman expressed his frustrations in a guest column, stating that he felt let down by Amazon MGM Studios, who acquired the film's studio after Liman had signed on to direct.
In his column, Liman criticized Amazon for not following through with their promises to support cinemas and expressed disappointment that Road House was being used as a vehicle for selling plumbing fixtures, rather than receiving a theatrical release. While the director's absence is unfortunate, it does not diminish the anticipation surrounding this action-packed remake.
With Jake Gyllenhaal at the helm, Road House promises to deliver an exhilarating and gritty experience that fans of the original and newcomers alike will thoroughly enjoy. Its fusion of intense fight scenes, compelling characters, and a talented cast ensures that viewers are in for a wild ride when the film finally hits screens.
