Ronda Rousey initially considered starring in the remake of “Road House,” a move that seemed poised to elevate her Hollywood career. However, the role ultimately went to Conor McGregor. Rousey, reflecting on the missed opportunity, emphasized the critical role of a strong script in her decision-making process.
The initial concept involved Rousey taking on a significant action role, a development that appeared to signal Hollywood’s openness to featuring combat athletes in leading franchise parts. Yet, Rousey found herself in a familiar situation, waiting for the project’s script to meet her stringent standards.
Rousey’s Reasoning for Declining “Road House”: The Script’s Imperfection
“The script is paramount,” Rousey stated in an interview with Complex. “We never managed to get a script that was fully realized. I believe that when projects are rushed and movies are made without a solid script, it leads to subpar films.”
This stance wasn’t about being overly selective; Rousey sought counsel from Lisa Niemi, the widow of Patrick Swayze, who starred in the original “Road House.” Niemi, who also appeared in the 2024 remake, advised Rousey to ensure the project wouldn’t be a disappointment.
“I actually spoke with Patrick Swayze’s widow, and she wanted my blessing to proceed,” Rousey recalled. “She told me, ‘Just make sure it doesn’t suck.’ And I thought, ‘That’s a lot of pressure!’ [laughs] I never reached a point where I was confident it wouldn’t be a disappointment.”
By the time script issues persisted, the industry had already moved on. With multiple “Road House” remakes in development or completed, pursuing another iteration of the material felt less compelling. Instead of forcing a project that didn’t feel right, Rousey redirected her attention to future prospects.
During the interview, Rousey highlighted a perceived gap in action cinema, specifically the lack of films featuring two women who are proficient both on-screen and in fight choreography. She expressed interest in a potential collaboration with Gina Carano, another former MMA athlete who has demonstrated her acting talent in productions like “Haywire” and “The Mandalorian.”
Regarding the 2024 “Road House” film, Rousey admitted to having only seen parts of it due to her responsibilities as a parent. Her movie viewing habits have shifted, often dictated by her children’s preferences for animated films. She mentioned catching the beginning and end of the fight sequences.
Rousey’s comments coincide with her impending return to MMA. She is scheduled to face Gina Carano in the main event of MVP MMA 1 on May 16th. This fight, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, will be Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast. The bout is set for five five-minute rounds at featherweight under Unified MMA Rules, utilizing standard four-ounce gloves. This marks Rousey’s first MMA fight in nearly a decade and a reunion of two prominent crossover stars from the sport.