Jake Gyllenhaal paid an emotional tribute to the late Patrick Swayze ahead of the new remake of Road House, the 1989 action film made famous by Swayze, who played professional bouncer James Dalton.
Gyllenhaal's breakthrough role was as the titular troubled teen in the 2001 sci-fi flick Donnie Darko, which also starred Swayze as motivational speaker Jim Cunningham.
The 43-year-old Oscar nominee reflected on his time working with his former co-star in a poignant Instagram post.
Swayze died in 2009 at the age of 57, roughly twenty months after his diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Over the weekend, Gyllenhaal shared a throwback photo of the two of them and wrote in the caption:
“I’ve been thinking back about my time working with Patrick on Donnie Darko, and rewatching this great man in the original Road House plus so many other films."
"I’ve never stopped being a fan. He was such a talent and I continue to have so much respect and admiration for what he put out and into the world."
He shared what he remembers most about Swayze, hearkening back to when Gyllenhaal was beginning his Hollywood journey.
"I’ll never forget his kindness to me when I was starting out, he said, adding:
"He didn’t have to take the time, but he always did."
"We’ve made a different RH this time around, but hoping it’s one he would’ve had fun watching!”
In the new re-imagining of Road House, Gyllenhaal plays Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter who "takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems," according to the synopsis on IMDb.
The remake is directed by Doug Liman, who expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming film.
The 58-year-old Edge of Tomorrow director said in a statement:
"I'm thrilled to put my own spin on the beloved Road House legacy."
"And I can't wait to show audiences what Jake and I are going to do with this iconic role."
In addition to Gyllenhaal, the film will include actors Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Joaquim de Almeida, Lukas Gage, Arturo Castro, B.K. Cannon, Beau Knapp, and Darren Barnet.
It will also feature MMA fighter Conor McGregor in his movie debut.
Road House is scheduled for an Amazon Prime release on March 21, 2024.
You can see the trailer here.
Road House - Official Trailer | Prime Videoyoutu.be
