Australia Correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin interviews Jake Gyllenhaal about his new film, Road House, a remake of the '80s classic starring Patrick Swayze.
It's rare to sit down with a Hollywood A-List celebrity, even rarer to truly connect with one in the short five-minute time allotted. Having that celebrity speak back to you in your country's native language is even more uncommon. However, my encounter with Jake Gyllenhaal was all this and more.
I spoke with him about his upcoming film, set for release on Prime Video this Thursday. He plays Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter grappling with his dark past and inclination toward violence, a challenge compounded by his new role as a bouncer in a tumultuous Florida Keys bar.
The film is rife with corrupt cops, a ruthless gang boss, and intense smackdowns, creating an exceptionally engaging yet straightforward plot.
Gyllenhaal's rendition of the role showed he understood the assignment.
He revealed how little persuasion was needed from director Doug Liman to accept the part.
"We've known each other for 15 years, and after he mentioned a reimagining of Road House, I immediately felt compelled to say, 'That sounds crazy, let's do it.'"
Complete with stunt work, mixed martial arts, and Gyllenhaal's trademark dry humour, the remake came to life.
With a director like Liman, known for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow/Live Die Repeat, and The Bourne Identity franchise, the film's success seemed inevitable.
"It has to be fun for the audience," Gyllenhaal noted, praising Liman's ability.
"Doug is an expert at elevating these kinds of movies in a very particular way."
Filling the shoes once occupied by Swayze was no small feat. Gyllenhaal and Swayze, who shared the screen and a long-time friendship, had a bond that Gyllenhaal said contributed to his recent portrayal.
He said it felt “serendipitous”.
"My relationship with Patrick and Lisa, his wife, is they've always been so loving towards me, right from the very beginning of my career when we were in Donnie Darko together, and even after that, he was always so encouraging," said Gyllenhaal.
“I think [Dalton] still finds joy in fighting, but it’s also something that has gotten him into a lot of trouble, and that trouble is what he’s running from.
"He has an innate talent for movement, and the speed with which he fights and the ability to push and pull with his opponent are unmatched. At the same time, he’s got a sense of humour about it, maybe to distract from the things he’s done.”
Gyllenhaal is part of a diverse cast, including Portuguese actress Daniela Melchior and UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who makes his screen debut.
McGregor's role as Knox, the formidable gun-for-hire, added an authentic edge to the fight scenes. "Conor is a legend, and I was grateful and humbled to work with him and do fight scenes with him. I was equally terrified," Gyllenhaal admitted.
"We needed a character who you really felt could beat Dalton, and we got that in Conor’s performance as Knox.”
The dynamic fight scenes are central to the film’s action, so visceral and engaging that Liman developed a novel filming approach. This innovation has rendered the Road House remake more authentic, intense, and unbridled, promising a fresh take on a beloved classic.
I wished Gyllenhaal “Kia kaha” for the rest of his interviews. He replied, “I love that, Kia Kaha; stay strong to you, too."
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