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Amazon MGM Studios is in advanced discussions with Russian filmmaker Ilya Naishuller to take the reins on Road House 2, following the unexpected exit of Guy Ritchie earlier this month for undisclosed reasons, Deadline reports.
Naishuller is no stranger to action-packed storytelling. His collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios on the recently released action comedy Heads of State—starring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas—has proven a resounding success. Premiering on Prime Video on July 2, the film has held the #1 spot on the streaming platform for three consecutive weeks, solidifying Naishuller’s standing as a go-to director for high-octane crowd-pleasers.
Road House 2 is slated to begin production this fall. Plot details are currently being kept under wraps, but anticipation is high following the global reception of the first film. The Road House reboot, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Dalton—a former UFC fighter turned bouncer in the Florida Keys—attracted a staggering 80 million viewers worldwide during its first eight weeks on Prime Video. Gyllenhaal is confirmed to reprise his role in the sequel, further fueling fan excitement.
The script for the sequel Is penned by Will Beall, known for his work on gritty, character-driven action narratives. Producers include Charles Roven and Alex Gartner of Atlas Entertainment, alongside Gyllenhaal and Josh McLaughlin of Nine Stories Productions, ensuring continuity in the vision and tone that helped the first film resonate with both longtime fans and new audiences.
Naishuller’s resume makes him a compelling fit for the franchise. He broke out with the hyper-stylized, first-person action feature Hardcore Henry, which he wrote, directed, and produced. That film earned the People’s Choice Award during its debut in the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto Film Festival. He followed it up with Nobody (2021), a surprise hit that transformed Bob Odenkirk into a bone-breaking everyman action star. That film debuted at #1 at the box office and was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Represented by CAA, Inga V. Smith at IV Management, and Sloane Offer, Naishuller continues to build an international profile as a filmmaker who blends stylized violence with strong character arcs.
With Naishuller poised to take over, Road House 2 is shaping up to be a worthy continuation of the newly reimagined franchise, promising more of the raw, adrenaline-charged action that made the first installment a streaming sensation.
