Conor McGregor will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a remake of the classic film Road House as the UFC star prepares to make his Hollywood debut.
The former two-weight world champion has long been expected to follow Ronda Rousey in swapping the cage for the big screen and has been convinced that now is the time. Road House, originally released in 1989 starring Patrick Swayze, tells the story of a former UFC fighter (Gyllenhaal) who takes a job as a bouncer in Florida.
It is not clear what part McGregor will play but it is understood he will not feature as himself. Filming is due to start shooting in the Dominican Republic later this month which will bring into question when McGregor plans to return to the UFC. He has not fought since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last summer.
The Irishman is expected to remain sidelined until the new year having won just one fight since 2016, a 40-second demolition of Donald Cerrone in 2020. A spokesperson for the 35-year-old said: “Conor McGregor 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.”
McGregor had been due to make his film debut in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage but pulled out following his defeat by Nate Diaz in 2016. He was eventually replaced by fellow former UFC champion Michael Bisping with Vin Diesel saying: "I had created a role for Conor McGregor, and after he lost to Nate Diaz, he had to go to a dark place, he had to go get his manhood back to fight the second time, so he wasn't able to do this film at the time."
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The Road House remake, which will stream on Amazon Prime, will be directed by Doug Liman. “I’m thrilled to put my own spin on the beloved Road House legacy," he said. "And I can’t wait to show audiences what Jake and I are going to do with this iconic role."
Producer Joel Silver added: "The original Road House has a special place in my heart and I am so excited to bring this newly imagined version to audiences around the world. Doug and I have each made some big, boisterous action movies and are ready to bring everything we have to this one."
