Ronda Rousey has long been a force to be reckoned with in the ring, but following her show-stopping 34-second KO, the UFC champ has captured the imagination of not only the more casual fighting fans, but Hollywood executives across the board. After banging the drum to champion her chances of landing the coveted role of Captain Marvel for the 2018 standalone film, Variety now brings word that the budding actress has signed on to lead MGM’s long-gestating Road House remake.
Assuming the role made famous by the late, great Patrick Swayze in ’89, Rousey’s involvement in the nascent project marks the talent’s first major break into the mainstream, building off of supporting roles in the likes of Expendables 3 and this year’s Furious 7. Truth be told, MGM’s overhaul of the cult action film has been simmering in the pits of development for years at this point, though with Rousey now instated at the helm, we understand that studio executives are beginning to meet with screenwriters before a planned start date in 2016.
Before putting pen to paper, though, the MMA expert wanted to ensure that her involvement in the remake wasn’t going to tread on anyone’s toes, including – and especially – those belonging to Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi. As a matter of fact, Variety reports that Rousey personally reached out to Niemi to ask for her blessing before talk of a starring role was even tabled, and the rest is history.
In terms of the studio, releasing a remake of Road House comes off the back of its upcoming Rocky spinoff, Creed. Starring Michael B. Jordan Adonis – son of Apollo – the offshoot even stars Sylvester Stallone as the Italian Stallion. Whether MGM’s latest project will acknowledge the 1989 original will ultimately be told in time.
Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is quickly kicking up a fuss in Hollywood, and we’re excited to see her take on the role of the Missouri bouncer for MGM’s Road House reimagining.
