The contentious decision behind the streaming release of the Road House remake on Prime Video has been dissected in a new report, shedding light on the truth behind director Doug Liman‘s deal with Amazon.
Originally pitched to MGM, Road House’s trajectory shifted after the studio was acquired by Amazon, prompting a significant change in plans for the movie’s release. According to the report, Liman opted for a higher budget paired with a streaming release over a lower budget with a traditional theatrical release for Road House.
The upcoming remake, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter turned bouncer at a Florida bar, stirred controversy when Liman penned a scathing op-ed for Deadline, vowing to boycott the movie’s premiere at SXSW. In his piece, Liman accused Amazon of neglecting the cinematic experience.
Variety’s report offers insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations, revealing that Liman and Gyllenhaal were presented with two options before production began: a $60 million budget with a theatrical release or an $85 million budget for a streaming release. Ultimately, they both opted for the latter.
The controversy stems from the fact that Road House was initially intended for theatrical distribution, with Liman claiming that the streaming option was not presented during early discussions with MGM. However, following Amazon’s acquisition of the studio, the landscape shifted, leading to the decision to pursue a streaming release.
Liman argued in his op-ed that Road House was deemed a “smash hit” by Amazon executives and tested well with audiences, justifying its eligibility for a theatrical release. The director’s push for a theatrical premiere was met with resistance, with original Road House producer Joel Silver engaging in heated disputes with Amazon, culminating in his departure from the project due to reported verbal abuse of staff.
While Liman maintains that a theatrical release was a viable option, contractual agreements suggest otherwise, indicating a deliberate choice made by the filmmaker prior to production. The fallout from the controversy remains to be seen, but it appears that Liman’s collaboration with Amazon may be strained moving forward.
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