MGM is remaking the 1989 movie that starred Patrick Swayze and Kelly Lynch

MGM has tapped Rob Cohen to direct its upcoming remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze movie “Road House,” TheWrap has learned.

Rowdy Herrington directed the original film, which was produced by Joel Silver. Kelly Lynch co-starred alongside Sam Elliott and Ben Gazzara.

The original “Road House” followed a tough bouncer with a mysterious past who is hired to tame a dirty bar in Missouri.

Also read: Justin Timberlake in Talks to Produce ‘The Idolmaker’ Remake for MGM (Exclusive)

Michael Stokes wrote the script for the “Road House” remake. He also wrote Millennium Films’ action movie “Crash Bandits,” which is another project that Cohen has been developing as a director.

Matt Dines is expected oversee the “Road House” remake for MGM, which has been keen to exploit its library titles in recent years.

“Road House” grossed over $30 million at the domestic box office and earned a cult following thanks to home video and cable.

Cohen is a veteran action director who is responsible for launching the “Fast and the Furious” franchise. His other genre credits include “Daylight,” “xXx” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

Also Read: Rob Cohen to Direct Most Expensive Korean Film Ever

Cohen most recently directed the Tyler Perry vehicle “Alex Cross” and he’s currently working on Blumhouse’s thriller “The Boy Next Door,” which finds Jennifer Lopez having an affair with her teenage neighbor.

Cohen is represented by WME and attorney Michael Schenkman.

Terrible movie

remade by terrible director

Rob Cohen is set to direct the most expensive film in the history of the Korean film industry.

Cohen, the director of adrenaline-jolting movies like "The Fast and the Furious" and "XXX," will make "1950," a film set in the Korean War with a budget of $100 million. CJ E&M Pictures of Korea and Grapevine Entertainment are producing it along with Brett Donowho and executive producer Paul Hudson.

It's based on the dispatches of Marguerite Higgins, then the Tokyo bureau chief for the New York Herald Tribune. Higgins was initially barred from covering the conflict by the US Army because she was a woman, but General Douglas MacArthur later gave her permission in a significant moment for female journalists.



It follows Higgins’ journey across the Korean peninsula with a platoon of marines, ending with the mass evacuation on Christmas Eve of nearly 200,000 South Korean civilians escaping the oncoming Chinese and North Korean armies.

Production is slated to begin in May of 2012 with a release date the following Spring.

Ronda Rousey to Star in MGM’s Reimagining of ‘Road House’ (EXCLUSIVE)
September 9, 2015 | 08:59AM PT
Justin Kroll
Film Reporter @krolljvar

UFC fighter Ronda Rousey is building up her acting slate following another dominating victory and the announcement that she would be starring in a movie based on her autobiography for Paramount.

After passionately pursuing the project for some time, MGM has decided to move forward with a new take on 1980s action pic “Road House,” with Rousey expected to step into the role Patrick Swayze made famous.

Sources say MGM is currently meeting with writers to pen the script with with no shortage of scirbes getting in line for the opportunity to do so.

Released in 1989, the original pic starred Patrick Swayze as a bouncer hired to clean up one of the rowdiest, loudest bars in Missouri, The Double Deuce. A gentleman with a degree in philosophy, his calm is put to the test when he needs to protect the town from a corrupt businessman.

Production is set to begin in 2016.

The film became a breakout hit and still has a cult following today. Given MGM’s interest in rebooting some of its classics (the “Rocky” spin-off “Creed” bows in November), a “Road House” retelling felt right for the studio.

Rousey thought the idea of starring in a remake was a great idea but wanted to be respectful when pursuing the project. Sources say Rousey recently reached out to Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi, to ask for her blessing to star in the remake, which insiders say Niemi gladly gave.

Based on the physicality of Swayze’s performance, Rousey’s experience in mixed martial arts makes her a clear choice for the role.

The project would mark her biggest job to date, since the property carries such a large following. This will be the fourth project being specifically developed for Rousey to star in, following her biopic “My Fight/Your Fight” at Paramount, “The Athena Project” at Warner Bros. and the STX action pic “Mile 22,” which has Pete Berg on board to direct with production set to start in February which will follow her next fight against Holly Holm on Nov. 14.

Rousey has already had a busy year at the cinema, appearing in “Furious 7” and the “Entourage” movie after a cameo in last year’s “The Expendables 3.”

She is repped by WME and attorney David Feldman.

Rousey thought the idea of starring in a remake was a great idea but wanted to be respectful when pursuing the project. Sources say Rousey recently reached out to Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi, to ask for her blessing to star in the remake, which insiders say Niemi gladly gave.