The upcoming release of the “Road House” remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal is encountering significant obstacles. Screenwriter R. Lance Hill has initiated legal action against MGM Studios and its parent company, Amazon, alleging copyright infringement and the utilization of artificial intelligence to circumvent a deadline, which violates the new actors’ and directors’ guild agreements.
Hill, also known as David Lee Henry, penned the original “Road House” script on his own initiative and transferred the copyright to United Artists in 1986. Despite having the right to reclaim his screenplay by November 11, 2023, Hill asserts that Amazon and MGM proceeded with the remake after the deadline, disregarding his copyright claim.
The lawsuit claims that Amazon set a self-imposed deadline of November 10, 2023, to complete the remake just before Hill’s termination of rights took effect. Allegations suggest that AI technology was employed during the 2023 Screen Actors Guild strike to replicate actors’ voices for Automatic Dialogue Replacement, breaching collective bargaining agreements.
While Amazon and MGM refute the allegations, Hill seeks to regain copyright ownership and halt the remake’s release. The legal dispute raises questions about the use of AI in film production and the evolving landscape of movie distribution.
In response to the controversy surrounding the film’s release strategy, director Doug Liman expressed disappointment over Amazon’s decision to exclusively stream “Road House” on Prime Video, bypassing a theatrical release. Despite the film’s completion and anticipated premiere at the SXSW festival, Liman opted not to attend in protest.
The clash between artistic integrity, traditional cinema viewing, and streaming platforms underscores the shifting dynamics in the entertainment industry. As the release date for “Road House” on Prime Video approaches, the debate over film distribution models and the impact on creators and audiences continues to unfold.
