Jake Gyllenhaal Says ‘Exercise Always Helped Me Get Through’ Ahead of Road House Release

Jake Gyllenhaal’s physical fitness plays a vital role in his overall health.

The Oscar-nominated actor, 43, is set for spring 2024 Men’s health digital cover story. For an in-depth interview, he discussed the preparations that led to him being “ridiculously ripped”. Road House” — an upcoming film in which he portrays former UFC fighter Elwood Dalton.

Jake Gyllenhaal Men’s Health Spring 2024 Cover

Men’s health

Speaking to the outlet, Gyllenhaal shared why he sees training as an essential part of the job he wants to do.

“No matter what was going on in my day, no matter what was going on in my life, exercise always helped me survive in one way or another,” he told Men’s health.

“I always try to find roles that allow me to stay physical. It means taking care not only of my research and hard intellectual work, but also the physical part of acting… I want to try to do this for a long time.”

Jake Gyllenhaal got a staph infection during filming Road House Fight scene: ‘My whole arm is swollen’

He added that he took the opportunity after discussing the project with a friend and Road House director Doug Liman because “he’s not like me.”

“I said, ‘I agree. That sounds like the craziest idea.’ I remember saying, ‘Let’s do it!’ Where Road House sitting for me is a place of lightness. This movie fits into that space where I’m just like, ‘I’m having fun with my friend,’” Gyllenhaal said.

Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House, 2024.

Amazon MGM Studios

Road House is a remake of the 1989 film of the same name starring Patrick Swayze.

The Southerner talent and the late actor starred in the 2001 sci-fi thriller Donnie Darko.

“I knew him to be one of the most generous, kindest people I’ve ever met. He was just fun and loving, and we stayed in touch over the years,” Gyllenhaal said of Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer in September 2009.

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He was 57 years old.

“If Patrick was around, I’d love to talk to him about this. He was a top artist and he understood what that meant. I hope he knows that I have the utmost respect and love for him,” Gyllenhaal added.

The remake also stars MMA fighter Conor McGregor, whose appearance in the film marks his first film role.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor, Road House.

Laura Radford/Prime Video

Gyllenhaal said when it comes to working with a professional fighter, “there’s a trade-off.”

“It was so cool to bring both of those worlds together. In what world would you see me fighting Conor McGregor? There’s no world but movies… I had to remind Conor before every shoot not to punch me in the face even by mistake, because we’d have to work the next day,” he joked.

Says Jake Gyllenhaal Road House Costar Conor McGregor accidentally ‘punched me in the face’ during filming

And while it took a lot of practice to compete with an MMA fighter on camera, Gyllenhaal admitted he has a favorite cheat meal: “Vanilla cake with vanilla frosting — ideally Yossy Arefi’s recipe at Snacking Cakes.”

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE earlier this month, Gyllenhaal said it took “a whole village” to prepare him for the role, including his “amazing” trainer Jason Walsh, “wonderful” chef Paulette Tejeda and nutritionist.

Road House debuts on Prime Video on Thursday.

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Source: HIS Education