Directed by Doug Liman from a screenplay by Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry, Road House starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and Conor McGregor is an upcoming action movie. The movie is said to be a re-imagination of the 1989 film of the same name, which starred Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara, Sam Elliot, and more.
The story for Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming movie follows a former UFC middleweight fighter who ends up working at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. Gyllenhaal who plays the former UFC fighter struggles to leave his brawling days behind. Road House is one of the highly awaited movies of 2024 but the movie has found itself in the middle of a very concerning lawsuit.
Road House starring Jake Gyllenhaal accused of using generative-AI to create actors’ voice
According to reports by L.A. Times, screenwriter R. Lance Hill who wrote the screenplay for the original 1989 Road House has sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Amazon Studios. The reason cited in the lawsuit is copyright infringement and seeking declaratory relief. He alleges in his lawsuit that the studios did not license the 1986 screenplay after the rights were reverted to him.
Hill who goes by the name David Lee Henry had noted that despite the copyright reverted to him on November 11th, 2023, the studios proceeded with the production. According to reports by Variety, the screenwriter had alleged in his lawsuit that he had filed a petition with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2021 requesting the copyright return to him after United Artists’ claim was set to expire in November 2023.
He now wants to stop the movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal which is scheduled for a March 21 release on Prime Video, adding that the studios have used AI to complete their ADR work to meet the deadline. Now, the use of generative-AI contradicts the SAG-AFTRA rules at the time when the actors were on strike. A spokesperson of Amazon MGM Studios has shared via LA Times,
“The lawsuit filed by R. Lance Hill regarding ‘Road House’ today is completely without merit and numerous allegations are categorically false. The film does not use any AI in place of actors’ voice. We look forward to defending ourselves against these claims.”
A source close to the studio had shared with the publication that if AI was used during production, it was during the initial days of the film and the studios had instructed the filmmakers to not use AI in the film.
This is not the first time the inclusion of AI has been included in the discussion of Road House. According to reports by Variety, producer Joel Silver who reportedly was raising his concerns with the use of AI to complete the movie was fired from Amazon in 2023. The studios denied the claims of using any AI tools at the time.
Fan raise concerns with involvement of generative-AI for Jake Gyllenhaal’s Road House
Road House is one of the highly awaited movies of 2024 but in recent months it has found itself struggling with controversies. Director Doug Liman, reported by Deadline, had declared that he would be silently protesting Amazon’s decision to stream the movie which was very clearly made for the big screen. He declared that he won’t be attending the movie’s premiere at SXSW on March 8th 2024.
He also added that by streaming on a digital platform rather than giving it a proper theatrical release, the studios are depriving Jake Gyllenhaal of the opportunity to be recognized especially when he has given his career’s best performance.
Now with the original screenwriter accusing the studios of using generative AI for actors’ voices to finish the movie, fans took to their social media to raise concerns. One of the users wrote, ‘Oh wow. That’s pretty big if it’s true’, while another noted, ‘Production companies are really just going to sneak in AI everywhere until they get caught lmao’.
Oh wow. That's pretty big if it's true
— Matt Jarbo (@mjarbo) February 27, 2024
production companies are really just going to sneak in AI everywhere until they get caught lmao
— a girl with no face ⚡️ (@Stop_Hammerzeit) February 27, 2024
When I saw the trailer I asked "Is connor mcgregor dubbed over? He sounds weird" and people told me "NO, wtf are you talking about it sounds just like him"
— gazadventures (@DaftHero) February 27, 2024
An ardent fan of movies had pointed out that when the trailer was released, he could hear the difference in Connor McGregor’s voice and added he sounded, ‘weird’. Fans mentioned that Road House is just the beginning, while some added that it is indeed one of the things that fans are afraid of.
this is actually pretty bad for the film industry moving forward😭😭
— cyn (@aust1h) February 27, 2024
The thing is, usage of AI is inevitable and no matter what anyone says its not gonna be stopped.
Its all about the financials and valuations and cost cutting. With AI these companies have found a jackpot.In the next 10 years, a LOT is gonna be changed
— Yaare Yaare (@NairJai123) February 28, 2024
> "nobody will ever notice AI."
> everybody immediately notices when it's used anywhere.— Words | Persona 3 Reload (@TNEQL) February 27, 2024
A user explained that the current state of AI could be the reason why the fans have to bid goodbye to their favorite movies and shows adding that Road House is not looking good at all.
Road House premieres on Prime Video on March 21st, 2024.
