Director Doug Liman has expressed his disappointment over Amazon's decision to stream his action film "Road House" starring Jake Gyllenhaal, instead of giving it a theatrical release.
Liman, known for directing films like "Edge of Tomorrow", originally envisioned "Road House" as a theatrical release. He argues that everyone involved, including himself, Gyllenhaal, and producer Joel Silver, were compensated based on the expectation of a big-screen premiere. However, when Amazon acquired MGM, the studio behind the film, in 2022, the release plans changed, much to Liman's chagrin.
"First of all, I have no issue with streaming," Liman clarified in an interview with IndieWire. "We need streaming movies because we need writers, directors, and actors to work. Not every movie should be in a movie theatre. So Iâm a big advocate of TV series, streaming movies, and theatrical movies â we should have it all."
Liman's frustration stems from the fact that he and the rest of the cast and crew did not receive any additional compensation for the shift to streaming. "Road House was made for MGM to be in theaters," he explained. "Amazon switched it on us, and nobody got compensated. Forget about the effect on the industry â 50 million people saw Road House â I didnât get a cent, Jake Gyllenhaal didnât get a cent, Joel Silver didnât get a cent. Thatâs wrong."
The Independent has reached out to Prime Video representatives for comment.
Despite the controversy, Amazon has reported that "Road House" attracted 50 million viewers globally over its initial two weekends on the platform. The streaming service touted it as the "most-watched produced film debut ever on a worldwide basis."
Prior to the film's release in March, Liman announced his intention to "silently protest Amazon's decision to stream a movie so clearly made for the big screen" by boycotting the film's world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival.
"The movie is fantastic, maybe my best, and Iâm sure it will bring the house down and possibly have the audience dancing in their seats during the end credits. But I will not be there," he wrote in an op-ed for Deadline.
Sources told Variety that Liman, Gyllenhaal, and Silver were given the choice of either making the film for $60m for a theatrical release or taking $85m for a streaming-only release. The team ultimately chose the latter.
While Liman vehemently argues for the importance of theatrical releases, Gyllenhaal, who stars as ex-UFC fighter Dalton in the film, offered a more nuanced perspective.
"I adore Dougâs tenacity, and 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," Gyllenhaal told Total Film.
"I just want as many people to see it as possible. And I think weâre living in a world thatâs changing in how we see and watch movies, and how theyâre made. Whatâs clear to me, and what I loved so much, was [Limanâs] 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."
"Road House" follows Dalton as he takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse in an attempt to escape his past. He quickly learns that the paradise isn't as idyllic as it seems. The film is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
