Fight scenes in movies are meticulously choreographed to ensure the safety of the actors involved. However, when a professionally trained MMA fighter like Conor McGregor is added to the mix, unexpected incidents can occur. McGregor stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the updated version of Road House, released on Prime Video on March 21, 2024.
Gyllenhaal, who steps into the role made famous by Patrick Swayze, had to navigate the challenge of working with McGregor, who is accustomed to real combat. During the press junket for the film, Gyllenhaal commended the stunt coordinators, Garrett Warren and Steve Brown, for their work in designing the fight sequences. He acknowledged the complexities of close combat fighting and the need to ensure safety during intense scenes.
Despite the precautions taken, accidents can still happen on set. Gyllenhaal revealed an incident where McGregor accidentally hit him for real during a late-night filming session. The MMA fighter, in his first feature film role, had to be reminded constantly by Gyllenhaal to avoid actual contact during fight scenes.
Reflecting on the mishap, Gyllenhaal shared the humorous moment when McGregor unintentionally landed a punch while discussing a scene. The actors were able to laugh off the incident and maintain a positive working relationship throughout the filming process.
Road House, now available for streaming on Prime Video, showcases the dynamic between Gyllenhaal and McGregor as they bring their characters to life in the action-packed film. Despite the challenges of blending scripted fight sequences with McGregor's real fighting background, the duo managed to deliver an entertaining performance for audiences to enjoy.
