Road House Reboot - What We Know So Far

With reboot, remake, and reimagining mania continuing to sweep Hollywood, studios are starting to make some perplexing choices about which past hits are being resurrected for fresh runs at the multiplex. And as it is, many of the more perplexing cinematic revisits announced surround possible fresh takes on (or sequels) to 1980s hits like "Labyrinth," "The Great Outdoors," and "Highlander," (per ET Canada). Now, it seems you can add another classic eighties flick to that list, as Deadline is reporting a remake of Patrick Swayze's deliciously sleazy actioner "Road House" is now in the works.

The original film was released in 1989, and proved a modest box office hit for Swayze (per Box Office Mojo). In the years since its release, however, "Road House" has become revered as a staple of the era as fans young and old continue to revel in its absurdist B-movie charms, with studio bosses no doubt looking to capitalize on its enduring popularity. At present, there aren't many concrete details surrounding the "Road House" reboot, but a few juicy nuggets are being dangled about the project. Here's everything we know so far about the "Road House" reboot.

As noted in that Deadline report, this is not the first time MGM has tried to reboot "Road House" for modern audiences. In fact, the studio was eyeing a gender-swapped version of the film a few years back as a vehicle for Olympic medalist, MMA champion, and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey. That version of the film never really took shape, however, and the current iteration looks to be a more straightforward remake of the original. While the film is likely a long ways from heading before cameras, it seems MGM is hot to get the production off the ground. So much so, they're now meeting with writers to touch up a screenplay previously written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry.

They're reportedly looking to lock up a major name to direct the "Road House" reboot as well, with "The Bourne Identity," and "Edge of Tomorrow" helmer, Doug Liman, eyeing the director's chair. Of course, with the film's shooting script still not up to snuff, and its behind-the-camera talent still taking shape, it's anybody's guess when the "Road House" reboot will actually shoot, let alone when it will be released. Rest assured, we'll let you know the second a release date is made official.

With producers looking to lock down a major name for the "Road House" reboot's director's chair, Deadline is also reporting that a major star is circling the lead in the film. That star is none other than Jake Gyllenhaal, who's transformed himself from child star to one of cinema's most revered actors in his now decades-long career. He's done so by continuing to mix turns in lauded low-budget fare ("Donnie Darko," "Wildlife") with major studio projects ("Spider-Man: Far From Home"), and its safe to say his fans would love to see him appear in a slightly off-brand project like "Road House."

That being said, Gyllenhaal is also one of the busiest actors in Hollywood these days, and with 12 films currently listed on his IMDb page as being either in "pre-production" or "announced," one has to wonder if, or when, he'll be able to slot "Road House" into an already jam-packed schedule. As noted on IMDb, it may not matter in the end, as his attachment to the project is very much a rumor at present. Either way, we'll be quick to update this page the moment Gyllenhaal's, or any other actor's casting in "Road House," is confirmed.  

Those of you who didn't come of age in the eighties, and have somehow managed to not see "Road House" on cable in the three decades since its release, might be wondering what all the fuss is about. To answer that question, the original film found Patrick Swayze portraying Dalton, an enigmatic, tough-as-nails big city "cooler" (which is just a fancy term for a bouncer) who's lured to a small town in Missouri to clean up a particularly rowdy roadside watering hole. Once there, Dalton finds the job tougher than expected as a sinister local magnate who controls most of town's business doings (Ben Gazzara) doesn't much like the way he operates. A hyper-violent intimidation campaign promptly ensues with Dalton and his new brawling barroom buddies facing off against a rogue's gallery of small-time hoods to keep their dreams of booze-house glory alive.

Yes, the film is often every bit as silly as that synopsis sounds. But it is rendered with such obvious affection and steadfast devotion by Swayze and everyone involved (particularly the rarely better Sam Elliott), it's all but impossible not to be won over by its charms. It remains to be seen how much of that original plot the reboot might include, but if it stays true enough to the original concept, the new "Road House" flick will undoubtedly prove every bit as fun.