Guy Ritchie to Direct Road House 2
The sequel could even come to theaters
The action film "Road House" was a complete success for Amazon: with around 50 million viewers in the first ten days after its release on Prime Video, the remake of the classic film starring Patrick Swayze celebrated a record start. Now "Road House 2" is to follow – directed by Guy Ritchie!
However, according to insider Matt Belloni, the deal with him had not yet been finalized shortly before CinemaCon, where Amazon presented its film line-up. Jake Gyllenhaal will definitely be returning to play the lead role.
The screenplay is being written by Will Beall, who worked on "Aquaman", "Bad Boys 4" and "Beverly Hills Cop 4", among others. Doug Liman had previously fallen out with Amazon because he wanted to release the first part in cinemas rather than directly on Prime Video. Ironically, "Road House 2" could now actually get a short theatrical run before moving to the streaming platform.
A reunion with Lukas Gage as up-and-coming bouncer Billy is likewise possible. The actor himself has already expressed interest in a return. A release in 2026 is not off the table, but an exact release date has yet to be set.
Guy Ritchie: Style-Defining Director Between Gangsters, Secret Agents and Gentleman Warriors
Guy Ritchie is one of the most distinctive filmmakers of the last 25 years. His name is inextricably linked with British gangster films, but he has long since proven that he can also master blockbusters, action thrillers and even Disney movies. With his unmistakable style – fast cuts, complex stories, black humor and quirky characters – he has created his own cinematic trademark. His versatile oeuvre ranges from "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" to the current war film "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare".
The Beginning: British Gangster Cinema with Cult Status
Ritchie's career started with a bang in 1998: "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" combined several storylines, black comedy and British slang to create a style-defining gangster film. The success was huge, especially in the UK – and catapulted not only Ritchie, but also Jason Statham into the limelight.
Two years later, he made his international breakthrough with "Snatch". The movie, in which Brad Pitt plays an incomprehensible Irish boxer, finally brought Ritchie's signature style to the global stage. Once again, criminal energy, absurd coincidences and fast-paced editing came together – Ritchie became a cult director.
Missteps and New Beginnings
However, setbacks followed this flight of fancy. The romantic comedy "Swept Away" (2002) with his then wife Madonna was a critical disaster. The esoteric "Revolver" (2005) also failed due to its own complexity.
In 2008, Ritchie returned to his strengths with "Rock N Rolla" – a solid gangster film that built on old successes, but did not achieve their splendor. But Hollywood had come knocking in the meantime: with "Sherlock Holmes" (2009) and the sequel "A Game of Shadows" (2011), he made his way to becoming a blockbuster director. Robert Downey Jr. as the lively and ingenious detective was an audience favorite, and Ritchie proved that he could also handle big budgets.
Action, Fairy Tales and a Return to the Road
Ritchie showed his versatility in the following years: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (2015) was a stylish espionage movie with a 60s flair, but it disappointed at the box office. "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017) mixed fantasy, action and Ritchie's typical narrative style – albeit a little overambitious, which resulted in a flop.
Then, unexpectedly, came "Aladdin" (2019), a Disney adaptation of the animated classic. Despite scepticism beforehand, Ritchie impressed with an entertaining family film that grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. This showed that Ritchie can also do mainstream – if he wants to.
The Modern Gangster Phase: "The Gentlemen" and "Cash Truck"
In 2020, Ritchie returned to his roots with "The Gentlemen" – with success! The film about a retired cannabis baron (played by Matthew McConaughey) combined familiar stylistic elements with a fresh look and British star power. Hugh Grant, in an unusual role as a sleazy journalist, stole the show. "The Gentlemen" was a stylish, funny gangster film – and marked Ritchie's return to top form.
This was followed in 2021 by the movie "Wrath of Man", a dark revenge thriller starring Jason Statham. The film is a remake of the French "Le Convoyeur", but made entirely in Ritchie's style: cool, brutal, no frills. In contrast to his earlier gangster movies, Ritchie dispensed with humor and pacing gimmicks here and showed that he is also a master of serious, raw action.
War Adventure with Style: "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare"
In 2024, Ritchie brought "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" to theaters – a war film based on true events. It tells the story of a secret special unit in the Second World War that used unorthodox methods to fight the Nazis. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Damien Lewis and combines Ritchie's style with a historical setting. With Henry Cavill in the lead role and an energetic ensemble, the film is reminiscent of a mixture of "Inglourious Basterds" and "Kingsman" – but with Ritchie's signature: charmingly chaotic, fast-paced, with British humor and plenty of action.
Conclusion: A Director with Signature Style and Versatility
Guy Ritchie is more than just a "gangster movie guy". He is a style-conscious storyteller with a masterful command of pace, tone and atmosphere. Whether it's quick-witted London petty criminals, royal knights, cleverly modernized fairy tales or secret agents – Ritchie gives each of his movies an unmistakable energy. And it is precisely because he constantly reinvents himself that he remains one of the most exciting directors of our time.
