Guy Ritchie Bows Out of ROAD HOUSE 2 as Director

Guy Ritchie is no longer directing Road House 2 as the filmmaker, known for his stylish action, quirky character, and quick-fire storytelling, has exited the Amazon MGM sequel ahead of its planned September shoot. No official reason has been given for his departure.

The sequel sees Jake Gyllenhaal returning as Dalton, following up on last year’s Road House reboot, a gritty, hardcore reimagining of the 1989 Patrick Swayze cult classic.

The first film dropped on Prime Video in March 2024 and turned out to be a massive hit for the streamer. According to then-Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, the movie “attracted nearly 80 million worldwide viewers in its first eight weeks to become the studio’s most-watched produced film debut ever on a worldwide basis.”

The Road House reboot had Gyllenhaal playing a down-and-out ex-UFC fighter who winds up working security at a bar in the Florida Keys only to get tangled up in a violent turf war with bikers, outlaws, and a shady resort developer. The movie was pure and chaotic fun.

Will Beall (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F) is writting the sequel, though plot details are still being kept under wraps. Dave Bautista was reportedly circling the sequel as part of the cast, though with Ritchie stepping away, it's unclear whether casting or creative plans will shift.

It’s also worth noting that the Road House franchise hasn’t exactly had the smoothest behind-the-scenes journey. Director Doug Liman, who helmed the reboot, publicly expressed his disappointment with the film’s straight-to-streaming release.

In a previous interview, Liman said his frustrations came from not being properly compensated after the film’s original theatrical plans were scrapped following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM.

Ritchie previously worked with Gyllenhaal on The Covenant and is teaming up with him again for the upcoming action thriller In the Grey, also at Amazon MGM. Meanwhile, Ritchie’s next directorial effort is Wife & Dog, a black comedy starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, and Anthony Hopkins.

As for Road House 2, production is still slated to begin this fall, Amaazon just needs to find new director to take on the challenge of helming it.