New Legal Battle Arises for Road House Remake Over Original Screenwriter Lawsuit
The path for the Road House remake is filled with twists and turns as it faces a fresh legal challenge from the original screenwriter.
The upcoming remake of Road House, set for release on Prime Video on March 21, has sparked yet another controversy. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor, the 2024 version follows an ex-UFC fighter taking on the role of a bouncer at a Florida roadhouse, redoing the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic.
According to Variety, a new controversy has arisen surrounding the remake of Road House. R. Lance Hill, the original screenwriter of the 1989 film, has filed a lawsuit against MGM for alleged copyright infringement. Hill claims that the studio disregarded his right to reclaim copyright for his screenplay and utilized AI technology to replicate actors' voices through ADR.
In response to allegations made by R. Lance Hill, Amazon has stated that the lawsuit regarding Road House is baseless and contains false claims. Amazon clarified that the film does not utilize AI to replace actors' voices. The company expressed readiness to dispute the accusations in court.
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Hill filed for the Road House copyright in 2021, seeking to regain the rights after United Artists lost them. UA's rights were due to expire on November 10, 2023. The film was allegedly not completed until January, and Amazon used AI during the 2023 actors strike to finish it before the expiration date. Hill alleges that elements of the 2024 movie are too similar to his original, with "key literary elements" being substantially alike.
It is uncertain what exactly Prime Video communicated to Liman regarding the film, but one thing is clear - the controversies surrounding Road House are far from over.
Hill’s lawsuit is not the only controversy the Road House remake is facing. Doug Liman, the director of the new movie, has decided to boycott its March 8 premiere at the SXSW film festival because Amazon has refused to release it in theaters. Liman criticized the studio for lacking support for cinemas and mentioned that a theatrical release was only hinted at if he made a "great film."
Gyllenhaal had a different perspective on the streaming release of Road House. The actor stated that "Amazon was always clear that it was streaming." While it is uncertain what Prime Video communicated to Liman about the film, one thing is certain - the controversies surrounding Road House are far from over. The impact of these controversies on the film's release remains to be seen.
Source: Variety
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming remake of "Road House" has been shrouded in controversy before its release. The original screenwriter's lawsuit against MGM for copyright infringement and AI voice replacement, along with the director's boycott of the SXSW premiere due to Amazon's refusal to release it in theaters, paint a picture of a troubled production. It's disappointing to see a project that has the potential to be a nostalgic throwback mired in legal battles and creative differences.
Amazon's vehement denial of Hill's allegations and their readiness to dispute them in court suggest that the studio is confident in its legal position. However, the fact that the film was allegedly not completed until after the copyright expiration date raises questions about the validity of Amazon's claims. The ongoing dispute and potential impact on the film's release cast a shadow over what could have been an exciting cinematic event.
