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In
the 2024 version Gyllenhaal plays former Ultimate Fighting
Championship (UFC) fighter Dalton, who runs into trouble as he
takes on a job as a bouncer at a bar in the Florida Keys.
"It was important to me. He originated the character and I
wanted to bring it through," Gyllenhaal said at the film's
premiere in London on Thursday.
Swayze, who passed away in 2009, and Gyllenhaal worked together
on "Donnie Darko" some two decades ago.
"Patrick was always so lovely to me, so supportive at the
beginning of my career. I carried with me some of the tattoos,
we designed some tattoos in honor of him, just because I really
loved him.”
The new Doug Liman-directed movie marks the acting debut for
former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
The Irishman, who plays savage contract killer Knox, described
the experience as "a learning curve".
"I went in humble. I went in looking to learn. And I knew my
level. I was a white belt and I'm a white belt still. I was
blessed with an amazing cast who were patient and very helpful
for me," he said.
McGregor, 35, said he was not eyeing further Hollywood roles and
would refocus on his UFC career once the publicity run for the
movie ends.
"Not right now. I'm going to regroup after this work and get
back to work for my fighting career. I've got more in the
Octagon to do. I'm excited to do it. That's where I'm at," he
said.
Some of Gyllenhaal’s fighting scenes were filmed in the Octagon
in front of a real audience during the UFC 285 event headlined
by Jon Jones and Cyril Gane. The 43-year-old actor spent some
two months getting in shape for the stunts and action scenes in
the movie, shot in the Dominican Republic.
The film also stars Jessica Williams as Frankie, the owner of
the roadhouse, Daniela Melchior in the role of local doctor
Ellie and Billy Magnussen as crime boss Ben Brandt.
"I hope you don't compare ours to the original because I think
art is not a competition. You got to just celebrate," said
Magnussen.
"Road House" starts streaming on Prime Video on March 21.
(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by David Gregorio)
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