When House on the road first hit theaters 35 years ago, no one could have predicted that it would become a fan favorite today. Director Rowdy Herrington attributes the film’s enduring success to its star Patrick Swayze.
“He is very convincing. He was handsome and had so many talents,” Herrington says of the actor, who died in 2009 at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in a new remake of the film directed by Doug Liman. New House on the road is now available to stream on Prime Video.
“I am delighted to be able to give my opinion on my beloved House on the road legacy,” Liman said in a previous statement. “And I can’t wait to show audiences what Jake and I will do with this iconic role.”
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Swayze just finished Dirty Dancing when he signed on to play James Dalton, a tough bouncer tasked with cleaning up a rowdy bar in Missouri.
Herrington says Swayze wanted to play an action figure at the time. “He was a martial artist and a dancer, so he learned the choreography quickly,” says Herrington. “He’s fun to watch, he could be emotional, funny and strong. He was a great person. It was a great loss.”
On the set of ‘Road House’.
Peter Sorel
Conor McGregor says fight scenes with Jake Gyllenhaal House on the road They Were ‘Very Real’ (Exclusive)
Herrington admits that when the film first came out, “the reviews were pretty bad.” But over the years, the modern Western, which also stars Kelly Lynch and Sam Elliott, has built a cult following.
“A few years ago they had a 30th anniversary screening in the Egyptian theater. We watched the movie and the audience knew every line,” says Herrington. “It was amazing.”
On the first day of filming, Herrington recalls walking around the set in Simi Valley, California. “It was badly beaten. The set should have transformed along with Patrick’s influence on the bar,” he says. “It was a lot of fun because of the action and the big fights.”
As for the new film, Herrington says Gyllenhaal, who plays Dalton, “has big shoes to fill,” but adds that “Jake is a great actor just like Patrick.”
House on the road now streaming on Prime Video.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education