Ronda Rousey was initially slated to star in the remake of “Road House,” a move that appeared to be a significant step into mainstream Hollywood for the fighter-turned-actress. Although Conor McGregor eventually took the role, Rousey has shared her perspective on why she ultimately passed on the project, highlighting the critical role of script quality in the industry.
The initial plan envisioned Rousey stepping into a well-known action role, a prospect that suggested Hollywood’s willingness to build major franchises around combat athletes. However, Rousey found herself in a familiar situation: waiting for the material to meet her exacting standards.
Ronda Rousey’s Rationale for Rejecting ‘Road House’: “We Never Received a Script That Was Truly Complete”
“I believe the script is of paramount importance,” Rousey stated in an interview with Complex. “We simply never received a script that was 100% ready. I think that projects being rushed and movies being made without a solid script are the reasons why bad movies happen.”
Rousey’s stance wasn’t about being overly demanding; she sought advice from someone with direct ties to the “Road House” legacy: Lisa Niemi, the widow of Patrick Swayze, who had a role in the 2024 version of the film. Rousey recalled their conversation: “I actually spoke with Patrick Swayze’s widow, and she said, ‘I want her blessing to do it.’ And she said, ‘Just make sure it doesn’t suck.’ And I thought, ‘Well, that’s a lot of pressure.’ [laughs] I never reached a point where it wouldn’t have sucked.”
By the time script issues persisted, the industry had already progressed. With multiple “Road House” remakes in various stages of development or completion, revisiting the material seemed redundant. Rather than pushing forward with a project that didn’t feel right, Rousey redirected her focus to future opportunities.
During her interview, Rousey also pointed out a perceived gap in action cinema that she believes remains unaddressed. “There has never been a movie made with two women who know how to be on camera and know how to fight on camera simultaneously,” she commented. She expressed interest in a potential collaboration with Gina Carano, another MMA athlete who has demonstrated her on-screen presence in productions like “Haywire” and “The Mandalorian.”
Regarding the 2024 “Road House” film, Rousey admitted she hasn’t watched much of it, citing her two children as a reason. Her current movie-watching habits are often dictated by her children’s preference for animated films. “I can’t remember the last time I was able to watch a movie from beginning to end that wasn’t something like ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ or ‘Encanto.’ I saw the ending of the fight and I saw the beginning.” Sometimes, the most effective creative decision is knowing when to decline, and at other times, life simply interferes with keeping up with new releases.
Rousey’s remarks coincide with her upcoming return to MMA, where she is scheduled to face Gina Carano in the main event of MVP MMA 1 on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This event will be streamed live on Netflix as the platform’s inaugural live MMA broadcast. The fight is set for five five-minute rounds at featherweight under the Unified Rules of MMA, utilizing standard four-ounce gloves. This bout marks Rousey’s first MMA fight in nearly a decade and a highly anticipated matchup between two prominent early crossover stars from the sport.