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Nothing epitomised Patrick Swayzes screen cool quite like 1989sRoad House, an action film very much of its decade.
This article first appeared in the Road House issue of Total Film.
And as such, its a rare beloved gem that cries out to be remade.
Its a story that could be transplanted anywhere.
Jake Gyllenhaal, for one, recalls it grabbing his attention.
It really had a strange, intense resonance.
And I was of an age when I didnt really know what exactly it was that I was watching.
I never really spoke to him about [Road House].
Remakes have been mooted over the years but never materialised.
One night, the pair were having dinner, and discussing another interesting project that didnt quite click.
It was at the end of the dinner.
And I said, Im in.
It was literally like that.
I dont know what got into me.
It sounded so fun, the idea of reimagining this film.
He said, I have ideas of how I would want to make my version of this.
I just thought, Absolutely.
This is the craziest idea.
He became pretty much obsessed with how the punches would land, and the kicks would land.
More on those scraps later.
Its a reimagining, right?
We have mad respect for the original.
And then we tried to create our own world.
Dalton was in 1989 - is a disgraced UFC fighter with a troubled backstory.
It really means a lot to her to protect the roadhouse, says Williams (Shrinking, Booksmart).
She has a legacy to maintain.
I also think shes got a sense of humour.
But also shes got a few secrets.
So she really holds things close to her chest.
Euphorias Lukas Gage is one of the out-of-hisdepth bouncers reinvigorated by Daltons arrival.
That was pretty easy to tap into.
Ive worked at some pretty sketchy places.
Another familiar character pop in is the doctor that Dalton becomes romantically involved with.
Here, that character is Ellie (The Suicide Squads Daniela Melchior).
Im not going to say that its better or more interesting.
So, of course, women have a different attitude with our flirtations and everything.
Ben Brandt is the bad guy, he says.
My job is to make the hero look good.
And hell stop at nothing to force Frankie to sell.
I didnt know how I was going to take to it.
I didnt know whether I was going to like it, to be honest.
Im a fighting man thats my bread and butter.
Its where I come from… Im not an actor, but Im showbusiness.
That was my vibe to it.
I enjoyed every second of it.
Road House isnt the first film McGregor has been offered.
I had turned down a good few roles in my time on the climb, he says.
I was told that Knox could be a gleeful terror, he explains.
A lot of people, when they see it, say Im not even acting.
It must have been like, Hey, Conor, this is it.
And I rocked in.
But I gave it my best.
I had a job to do a job that I loved to do.
So theres elements that I could relate to, myself.
I love the fight game.
you’re free to cause a bit of chaos in the business that I am in.
So I had fun with it.
But both McGregor and Gyllenhaal had much to learn from each other.
So I want to learn about making movies.
I said, Well, I may be lower than a white belt.
Im here to learn as well.
We started from that place.
I was scared shitless, says Lukas Gage of his first on-screen fight with McGregor.
I was like, like, Conor McGregor, dont accidentally hit me.
just, whatever you do, do not accidentally hit me in the face.
I was definitely scared.
He was like, What?
McGregor tells TF that he hit it off with Gyllenhaal immediately.
Thank God we did, he says.
Hes so experienced in the movie game and in acting.
Im so experienced in fighting.
We just blended together.
We knew our strengths, and we knew we needed each other for it.
He was like, OK, lets go!
But then there were times we were grappling, and hes talking to me while we were grappling.
Hes like, Right arm under.
Wrap your leg around me.
Now pull me up, through the legs.
So there was a real exchange.
He came up to me, and he was like, I did that last take.
What did you think of that?
Was it a bit too big?
Id be like, Well, you have that.
There was a real back-and-forth between us, and a deep respect for both of our primary occupations.
Because, lets be honest, its all been done before, you know?
But on this one, its right.
It comprises several stages.
First, you shoot a fight in the traditional Hollywood way, with punches thrown and reactions acted.
And that person lays into it, and hits it with all their might and it looks awesome.
And then you remove that person, and you swap.
You say to the person [about to be hit], Do not react.
Do not venture to sell this punch.
Just be ready for the character that you are.
I take this pad its a very soft, square pad and you jam it at them.
You hit them for real.
Anybody a girl, a guy, a child.
It doesnt matter because its basically a glorified pillow fight.
It means that the body on the receiving end will react physically, as if to a real blow.
Then all the different layers are stitched together.
Warren pulls out the unassuming red rectangular pad thats been used to pummel actors faces.
But no, not with Doug.
Doug wanted to do it the whole time.
The shots were never cut.
This is something that is groundbreaking.
Theres a lot of psychological warfare that goes into a real fight, explains Brown.
I think this is one of the things that truly makes this movie special.
Jake was all-in on every facet.
He was so intrigued with fight psychology.
When we would train fight choreography, we would talk to him about what hes achieving.
Adding to the action quotient of this take on Road House is the UFC element of Daltons past.
This includes flashbacks to a career sequence that were filmed at a real UFC event.
It was so exciting.
And were like, OK, we can still get this!
Man, they were so great.
It was another way in which McGregors career experience proved invaluable.
During that Vegas shoot, McGregor was on his home turf, but he wasnt there to fight.
I told them all, Guys, youre going to be in the greatest movie.
Its my first movie.
Were going to blow the roof off this.
Give it up for Jake Gyllenhaal!
And then I went into the crowd, and I was hyping up the crowd.
So we got the absolute full effect of it.
Gyllenhaal is diplomatic when TF asks about his reaction to Limans statement.
But, I mean, Amazon was always clear that it was streaming.
I just want as many people to see it as possible.
If the job of a story is to move people, I have been moved in both forms.
Im a deep lover of cinema and the theatrical release but I also do really embrace the streaming world.
McGregor is typically forthright when he gets on to the subject.
Id love for it to be in theatres, he says.
Im for the theatre.
I understand the business, also… Id love a call with Bezos.
As an actor, so much of the end product is out of your hands, considers Williams.
So you have to learn early on to not have an attachment to the outcome.
It passes through so many hands.
Limans decision doesnt seem to have soured any of his cast on the experience.
And so there was this sense of wonderful risk when youre working with him…
I just adore Doug.
It was great fun.
Clearly proud of this experience, Gyllenhaal is open to revisiting the character in the future.
I love Dalton, he says.
I love what weve created in the character, and the whole team that made him.
Id be remiss in saying that Dalton is just me.
Theres five incredible stunt guys, also, that created him too like on any of these movies.
Its less clear what McGregors on-screen future holds, especially as he gears up for his MMA comeback.
I dont know, he responds when TF asks if theres more acting ahead for him.
Im happy Ive got one [film] done.
Ive got one great one, and its an all-timer.
I learned good lessons on the craft.
Though he does tease, Knox doesnt go down without a fight.
For all the challenges in the making of Road House, dont bet against another round.
This article first featured in Total Film magazine.Buy the issue here.
Road House is on Prime Video now.
For more on the film, check out our interviewwith the cast about working with McGregor.
