Jake Gyllenhaal supports Doug Liman’s SXSW boycott, but also says ‘Amazon was always clear’ about ‘Road House’ release
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Much like “Road House” philosopher-turned-bouncer James Dalton, Jake Gyllenhaal considers all sides to an argument.
Gyllenhaal is ready for the debut of Doug Liman’s remake of the 1989 bruiser fave, but there has been a degree of controversy about the forthcoming thriller. Liman, whose previous work includes “Go,” “The Bourne Identity” and “American Made,” has gone to war with Amazon for not releasing his “Road House” in theaters. He penned an open letter recently, and in it, Liman wrote he’d be boycotting the movie’s premiere at Austin’s SXSW festival. “Amazon is hurting way more than just me and my film. If I don’t speak up about Amazon, who will?” he wrote.
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In his note, Liman laid out that he signed with MGM with the anticipation of making a theatrically released film. Amazon later bought MGM and, despite Liman’s report that the movie is testing through the roof, the enormous tech company is still planning to send the picture straight to streaming.
Gyllenhaal, who co-stars in the new movie with Daniela Melchior, UFC champ Conor McGregor, and Post Malone, was diplomatic about his director’s decision in a recent interview. “I adore Doug’s tenacity,” the Oscar and Tony nominee said. “I think he is advocating for filmmakers, and film in the cinema, and theatrical releases. But, I mean, Amazon was always clear that it was streaming.”
He continued, “I just want as many people to see it as possible. And I think we’re living in a world that’s changing in how we see and watch movies, and how they’re made. What’s clear to me, and what I loved so much, was [Liman’s] deep love for this movie, and his pride at how much he cares for it, how good he feels it is, and how much people should see it.”
Not wanting to seem too anti-Amazon, though, Gyllenhaal added, “I’ve also sat watching a film on my computer, or in different places, and been so profoundly moved. If the job of a story is to move people, I have been moved in both forms. I’m a deep lover of cinema and the theatrical release—but I also do really embrace the streaming world.”
In conclusion, Jake Gyllenhaal loves everyone and thinks everybody is right. At least while a journalist is taking notes on what he’s saying.
“Road House” will begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 21.
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