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Only a few weeks have passed since Hollywood’s biggest studios reached a deal with actors and writers unions to end a four-month-long strike and get production back into action. The industry was brought to a halt for several reasons, including a demand for a greater share of streaming revenue.
Apart from impacting actors’ and writers’ residual payments, the rise of streaming platforms has also impacted cinemas by erasing many theatrical releases from the Hollywood calendar. Doug Liman’sRoad Houseis the latest high-profile project to be taken away from cinemas; the much-acclaimed director has decided not to take it all without fighting back.
Read more:“It’s a completely original story”: Glen Powell Refuses To Take Jake Gyllenhaal’s Road House Remake Route For His 1996 Twister Movie
Why Doug Liman Is Protesting Amazon’s Decision OverRoad House’s Theatrical Release
Doug Limanjoined hands withJake Gyllenhaalto bring a new version of Patrick Swayze’s 1989 B movie,Road House.
Prime Video released the film’s poster, which depicts Gyllenhaal seated in a roadhouse with some wounds. The R-rated story about an ex-UFC middleweight fighter, who ends up working at a rowdy bar in the Florida Keys, will also featureThe Suicide Squad‘s Daniela Melchior andNo Time to Die’s Billy Magnussen.
Fans are certainly excited to see the trailer for the action thriller, which is scheduled to release on the platform on July 27, 2025. However, that feeling has been partly marred by Amazon’s refusal to give the film a theatrical release. The filmmaker is not happy with the studio’s move and has accordingly written a column forDeadlineto register his disapproval. The 58-year-old wrote:
“When Amazon bought MGM, one of the few remaining studios making big commercial films for theatrical release (movies like Bond, Creed) they announced that they would put a billion dollars into theatrical motion pictures, releasing at least 12 a year. They touted it as “the largest commitment to cinemas by an internet company.” I can tell you what they then did to me and my film Road House, which is the opposite of what they promised when they took over MGM.”
Liman added:“The facts: I signed up to make a theatrical motion picture for MGM. Amazon bought MGM. Amazon said make a great film and we will see what happens. I made a great film.”
Accordingly, theMr. & Mrs. Smithdirector has decided to not attendRoad House’spremiere at the SXSW film festival.
Read more:Jake Gyllenhaal’s Doomed Lord of the Rings Audition May Be the Lowest Point of His Career: “It was just like finding the ring”
What Fans Are Saying AboutRoad HouseDirector Doug Liman’s Protest
Liman’sMr. & Mrs. Smith, which had Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in starring roles, was a smashing success at the box office, grossing $487.3 million globally. As per the filmmaker,Road Housetested higher than the 2005 hit. It also tested more promising thanThe Bourne Identity.
Yet Amazon bypassed theaters in favor of dropping the movie on Prime Video. Moviegoers seem to agree with Liman’s stance and have sent plenty of messages of support on X.
Damn, I don’t blame him.
— Chainsaw Reacts (@ChainsawReacts)June 12, 2025
As he should.. we stand with Doug Liman
— EMPRESS🕷️ (@ItsEmpress_X)July 25, 2025
Yeah, totally agreed with Doug.
If it’s a good remake, then it deserves to be seen in the CINEMA. 🙏🏻❤️
— Peter Rabbit’s Award Buzz (@PeterRabbit_4DX)July 04, 2025
What made Amazon refused to give the film a theatrical release?
— Woodland🔋⚡️📈🌎☀️ (@Woodland_00)June 19, 2025
Unnecessary and disrespectful remake to the great Patrick Swayze ….they have zero respect for the original in Hollywood ..they really did ran out of ideas
— CRYPTO KEN aka the Coin King 👑 (@daCoinKing)June 22, 2025
It’s tough to speculate Amazon’s thinking behind the decision, but it isn’t far-fetched to assume fans would’ve relished the opportunity of seeing Gyllenhaal, who impressed with his fighting skills inSouthpaw (2015), take on UFC mega-star Conor McGregor on the big screen.
Vishal Singh
Articles Published :513
Vishal Singh is a Content Writer at FandomWire. Having spent more than half a decade in the digital media space, Vishal specializes in crafting engaging entertainment- and sports-focused stories. He graduated from university with an honors degree in English Literature.
