Update on Road House 2
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 hit film Road House has hit a roadblock. Director Guy Ritchie has officially left the project, Road House 2: Present, which is a continuation of the Amazon MGM Studios’ successful restart of the 1989 cult classic. Ritchie was set to collaborate with Jake Gyllenhaal for the third time, but his departure has left the project in a state of uncertainty.
Background on Road House
The first Road House reboot, directed by Doug Liman, was released on Prime Video in March 2024 and became a record-breaking hit. It attracted nearly 80 million viewers worldwide within eight weeks, making it Amazon MGM’s "most-watched produced film debut" ever, according to former studio head Jennifer Salke. The film saw Gyllenhaal take on the role of Dalton, a former UFC fighter who is hired to manage a bar in the Florida Keys, only to find himself in a violent turf war.
Controversy Surrounding the First Film
Despite the streaming success, director Doug Liman publicly criticized Amazon for skipping a theater release. Liman claimed that he was not properly compensated due to the distribution switch after the acquisition of MGM. This controversy did not prevent the sequel from moving forward, but it may have contributed to Ritchie’s departure.
Current Status of Road House 2
Jake Gyllenhaal remains on board to reprise his leading role and produce the film through his Nine Stories banner, alongside Josh McLaughlin. Charles Roven and Alex Gartner will return as producers for Atlas Entertainment, and the script is being handled by Will Ball, known for his work on Bad Boys: Driving or Dying and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The sequel allegedly had Dave Bautista in talks for a key role, although it is unclear whether his casting will be affected by Ritchie’s exit.
Reason for Ritchie’s Departure
Ritchie’s departure may have more to do with his increasingly packed schedule than any drama behind the scenes. He has just wrapped up work on The Fountain of Youth for Apple TV+, is overseeing the second season of Netflix’s The Gentlemen, and is preparing to work on Woman & Dog, a black comedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, and Anthony Hopkins. He also has the upcoming action thriller Gray in the works, which will star Gyllenhaal.
What’s Next for Road House 2
Despite Ritchie’s departure, Road House 2 is still officially in development, and production is set to begin in September. The film’s future depends on who will take over as director, but for now, fans of the franchise will have to wait and see how the project moves forward. The original Road House is still available to stream on Prime Video.
