From Swayze to Rousey? If MGM has its way, the mantle of Road House’s bouncer could be passed to Ronda Rousey, the UFC fighter who is making inroads into acting.
The studio has been developing a new version of the cult 1989 drama since at least 2013, digging into its archives for another memorable Swayze title to add to the list of his films getting a fresh treatment, which already includes Ghost and Point Break. Back when it was first announced, Rob Cohen was attached to develop the project with Michael Stokes on board to write the script, but Variety’s report indicates that MGM is going another way with the screenplay and there’s no mention of Cohen.
The original Road House was set at The Double Deuce, a sleazy music bar in the small town of Jasper, Missouri, “the kind of place where they sweep up the eyeballs after closing”. The owner, tired of his joint being wrecked by muscle-bound “power drinkers” and provocative bimbos, hires the best bouncer in the business (Swayze) to cool things down. Famously, he starts off charming but doesn't hesitate to take extreme throat-ripping measures when pushed to his limit. Sounds like something Rousey could excel at, even if there will be those who will shudder at the thought of anyone trying to take over from the late, great Swayze.
Rousey has apparently reached out to Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi, to get her blessing, which she received. Now the studio will look to get this one on a faster track, locking down the screenplay and a director so production can kick off later next year. A UFC stalwart, Rousey has appeared in films such as Entourage and Fast & Furious 7 and has a variety of projects in the works, including her own biopic, action thriller **The Athena Project **and Mile 22, which she’ll work on for director Peter Berg early next year after she’s fought her next match. Which, if it goes anything like her last one, will be over in seconds…