Jake Gyllenhaal Breaks Silence on Road House Streaming Controversy

Jake Gyllenhaal is finally speaking out regarding the streaming release of his upcoming Road House remake and director Doug Liman’s decision to boycott the SXSW premiere over Amazon’s decision to give the film an exclusive streaming release rather than a launch in theaters.

During a recent chat with Total Film, Gyllenhaal admitted that Amazon was very clear that the film would be a streaming-only release, but he did respect Liman for advocating for filmmakers by taking a stand:

Jake Gyllenhaal: “I adore Doug’s tenacity, and I think he is advocating for filmmakers, and film in the cinema, and theatrical releases. But, I mean, Amazon was always clear that it was streaming. I just want as many people to see it as possible.

“And I think we’re living in a world that’s changing in how we see and watch movies, and how they’re made. What’s clear to me, and what I loved so much, was [Liman’s] deep love for this movie, and his pride at how much he cares for it, how good he feels it is, and how much people should see it.”

“I’ve also sat watching a film on my computer, or in different places, and been so profoundly moved. If the job of a story is to move people, I have been moved in both forms. I’m a deep lover of cinema and the theatrical release – but I also do really embrace the streaming world.”

Doug Liman Does Not Agree With Road House’s Release Plan

The Road House streaming drama began when Liman released an op-ed for Deadline in January that made it very clear he would not be attending the film’s SXSW premiere because, in part, he felt Amazon has “no interest in supporting cinemas.” While the op-ed said many things, the main bone of contention seemed to be that Amazon suggested that a theatrical release would be possible if he made a “great film”, something he indicates was the case since high test scores with audiences supported that assertion.

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It’s possible that Liman was sold a theatrical launch for Road House since the film was developed at MGM before Amazon acquired the studio. After the acquisition, Road House was momentarily in limbo until two choices were offered to keep the project going. One choice was to do the film for a $60 million budget and get a theatrical release or get a bigger $85 million budget for an exclusive streaming release. According to a report detailing the drama behind the scenes of the film, Liman and Gyllenhaal agreed to go with the streaming option.

Road House serves as a reboot of the 1989 original and follows a former UFC middleweight fighter named Elwood Dalton (Gyllenhaal) who ends up working at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys where it’s clear that everything is not as it seems. In addition to Gyllenhaal, the film also stars Daniela Melchior, Conor McGregor, J.D. Pardo, Arturo Castro, Billy Magnussen, and Lukas Gage.