Published Jan 30, 2026, 9:46 PM EST
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Two new installments of an iconic cult action franchise are lined up after a Prime Video controversy, which perfectly paves the way for Sam Elliott's return to the franchise.
In recent years, Sam Elliott has primarily garnered more attention for his roles in TV shows like Landman, 1883, and The Ranch. Most of his recent feature film opportunities have only featured him as a voice actor. This, however, could soon change if he returns to one of the most campy yet memorable action movies he has starred in.
While his return to the franchise in question could come with its own set of challenges, it seems more likely than ever after a recent Prime Video controversy.
With 2 Road House Sequels In Production, Sam Elliott Can Finally Return To The Action Franchise
Even though the Road House remake performed incredibly well on Prime Video when it landed on the streaming service in 2024, its production was marred by many creative feuds and fall-outs between director Doug Liman and Amazon MGM Studios. Liman was letdown by the fact that the movie was released directly to streaming instead of getting a theatrical run.
Owing to this conflict, two Road House movies are reportedly in production.
While Prime Video hopes to riff on the remake's success by following it up with a direct sequel that stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Doug Liman is working on his own Road House movie, titled Road House: Dylan. Liman's film is a direct sequel to the 1989 cult action movie, allowing it to entirely bypass the remake's timeline. This conflict undoubtedly creates a lot of uncertainty surrounding the action franchise's future.
However, there is a silver lining: either of the two films could mark Sam Elliott's return to the franchise.
Sam Elliott was an essential part of the original Road House movie. His return would not only help anchor the franchise in its cult legacy but also provide a much-needed emotional through-line between its past and future.
With two new Road House movies in the works, and one serving as a direct follow-up to the original movie, Sam Elliott's return seems more likely than ever.
Sam Elliott’s Road House Return Would Be Exciting, But It Faces 1 Challenge
Sam Elliott cannot play Wade Garrett in the Road House sequels because his character died in the original film. However, since the remake follows its own unique timeline, it could feature him in a different role. This would not only prevent the franchise from retconning the original movie but also draw a subtle nod to Elliott's iconic part in the original.
Depending on how Doug Liman's Road House sequel will unfold, it could also feature Wade Garrett in flashbacks. Or, it would also make sense if it gave Sam Elliott an entirely new role to play, given how he donned an entirely different look in the original.
Regardless of how Sam Elliott returns to the franchise, it would be great to see him in a feature film again, especially in a franchise that helped shape his screen persona during his early years as an actor. While the Prime Video controversy still spells a confusing future for the Road House franchise, Sam Elliott's return could give it a semblance of stability.
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