The sequel to Jake Gyllenhaal’s Prime Video hit action movie Road House has lost its director. The 2024 remake of the 1989 original movie of the same name stars Gyllenhaal as ex-UFC fighter Elwood Dalton, who takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse and fights to protect the local community and the bar.

Within the first two weekends of its release, the Doug Liman-directed movie attracted 50 million viewers and broke Prime Video’s viewership record as the studio’s most-watched produced film debut. Its success has led to the confirmation of Road House 2, with a script from Will Beall and Guy Ritchie at the helm. Gyllenhaal is expected to return as Dalton.

According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Ritchie is no longer directing the planned Road House 2. At this time, it’s unclear why he left the project, which remains an important property for Amazon MGM Studios. Production is expected to start this fall. Casting will continue while the film searches for a new director.

What This Means For Road House 2

No Director Is Currently Attached To Road House 2

Ritchie came on board amid Liman’s public feud with Amazon MGM over the film not getting a theatrical release. The Edge of Tomorrow director boycotted the film’s premiere and called out the studio for not sticking to their initial agreement. The fallout also resulted in Liman not returning to direct the planned sequel despite the 2024 action movie’s mᴀssive success.

No reason was given for the Fountain of Youth director’s exit from the project. However, with casting underway and production aiming to kickstart this fall, this means that there’ll likely be an announcement about who will take over the project very soon. While Ritchie’s exit is a setback, Road House 2 is still a priority at the studio.

Our Take On Guy Ritchie’s Exit

It Might Not Be A Bad Thing

Details about Road House 2‘s plot are under тιԍнт wraps. So far, the movie hasn’t received an official release date. The 2006 Road House 2 revolves around an undercover DEA agent who went to extreme lengths to save his uncle’s bar from merciless drug runners, but with the upcoming sequel again featuring Gyllenhaal’s Dalton, it’s safe to say that the new Prime Video movie has little to do with the 2006 flick.

While Ritchie’s exit casts some uncertainty on the planned sequel, his departure isn’t necessarily negative. In fact, many iconic films changed directors mid-production. Danny Boyle was originally scheduled to direct No Time to Die but exited the project alongside co-writer John Hodge, which led to Cary Joji Fukunaga filling the director’s chair.

Similarly, Steven Spielberg wasn’t the first choice to direct Jaws, which became a cultural touchstone. Hopefully, it won’t be long until the studio provides some updates on Road House 2 and sticks to the schedule even with this setback.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline