The confirmed sequel of an $85 million hit movie makes room for Sam Elliott’s return to a 35-year-old action franchise. In an acting career spanning over five decades, Sam Elliott has earned credits in over 100 distinct projects. However, long before the actor landed major award nominations and became a household name, he started his journey as an actor with relatively smaller roles in Westerns. Almost ten years after he started acting, Elliott got his first breakthrough role in 1976’s Lifeguard, which paved the way for his other notable performances.
Although Sam Elliott is known for playing myriad roles in movies of diverse genres, many still remember his brief yet significant appearance in a late ’80s action flick. This action flick recently received a remake, which had the perfect opportunity to bring back Sam Elliott. Even though the film seemingly wasted this opportunity, it can make up for it by featuring Sam Elliott in its confirmed sequel.
Road House 2’s Confirmation Means The Sequel Can Fulfill Sam Elliott Cameo Wishes
Road House 2 Can Rectify Road House’s Failed Opportunity
Since Sam Elliott’s Wade Garrett was a crucial part of the original Road House, many viewers wanted him to make a cameo in the 2024 remake as well. Unfortunately, since Wade died in the original, Sam Elliott could not have reprised his role as the same character in the remake. However, audiences still hoped that he would appear as a different character, which would serve as a nostalgic nod to the original film. Now that Road House 2 has been confirmed after the remake’s runaway success on Amazon, the sequel movie can finally fulfill the Sam Elliott cameo wishes by featuring him as a new character in the franchise.
As seen in the original Road House and Sam Elliott’s recent movies and shows like 1883 and A Star is Born, the actor always carries himself with an aura of calmness and possesses a natural charm that oozes out when he shows up on the screen. He also has a tall stature and a uniquely husky voice that allows him to have a commanding presence with ease, regardless of his role. Since the Road House franchise is primarily about loud slam-bang action and charming characters getting involved in brutal one-on-one showdowns, Sam Elliott would be the perfect fit for the sequel.
Who Sam Elliott Could Play In A Road House 2 Cameo
The Possibilities Are Endless
While only time will tell whether the confirmed Road House sequel will include him in its cast, it is hard not to anticipate how the movie franchise could reinstate him in its overarching storyline. In the original Road House, Sam Elliott’s Wade Garrett serves as a mentor for Patrick Swayze’s main character, Dalton. Even in Amazon’s Road House 2, he can be introduced as a guiding force for Jake Gyllenhaal’s Dalton, who not only helps him overpower his enemies but also shows him the right way to tame the demons of his past.
Road House 2 could also flip the actor’s original role and depict him as one of the villains Gyllenhaal’s Dalton must face.
Given how the Road House remake tied Dalton’s origin story to the UFC, Sam Elliott’s new character can be portrayed as someone from Dalton’s MMA past. He could be his former fight coach, who could briefly appear in Road House 2 to help him build the right mindset and plan to defeat his enemies. Alternatively, Road House 2 could also flip the actor’s original role and depict him as one of the villains Gyllenhaal’s Dalton must face. Regardless of how Sam Elliott appears in the Road House sequel, his return to the franchise will be met with a lot of excitement and anticipation.
Road House 2 Would Be Sam Elliott’s Biggest Movie Role In Years
Sam Elliott Has Not Done Major Movie Roles In Years But Road House 2 Can Change That
In recent years, Sam Elliott has primarily starred in television shows like MacGruber, 1883, and The Ranch. He has only been a part of movie projects as a voice actor, and even his upcoming roles in films like The Gettysburg Address and Grendel will only feature him as the voice behind the characters. Since the Road House remake was a massive success and broke several records for Amazon, its sequel is expected to be even bigger. If Sam Elliott joins its roster, it will potentially be the veteran actor’s biggest movie role, potentially paving the way for his big-screen comeback.
Sam Elliott’s last non-voice acting role was in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born, which premiered in 2018. Therefore, it has been over half a decade since he played a major role in a full-feature film. Road House 2 could be the perfect opportunity for him to return to the spotlight in a more significant capacity. Since he is already known for playing Wade Garrett in the original movie, his involvement with the remake could also bring more eyes to the Amazon sequel, benefiting both the actor and the overarching franchise.
Road House 2 Would Still Need To Be Careful With How It Uses Sam Elliott
Involving Same Elliott In The Sequel May Not Be As Simple As It Sounds On Paper
As exciting as the prospect of Sam Elliott’s involvement in the Road House remake’s sequel may sound, it could harm the film if his appearance is not handled carefully. The remake’s subtle narrative parallels and callbacks to the original may have contributed to its success, but the film is a lot more than a one-dimensional nostalgia fest. Instead of simply riffing on the ideas presented in the original, the Road House remake also spins a contemporary yarn on the original’s dated story beats. For instance, it adds more depth to Dalton’s backstory by portraying him as a formal UFC fighter.
If Sam Elliott has too prominent of a role in the film or his new character seems too similar to Wade Garrett, the remake movie series could sabotage its originality and become a mere subset of the 1989 film.
Owing to these unique elements in its storyline, the Road House remake stands on its own as a compelling reimagining of the 1989 film. If Sam Elliott has too prominent of a role in the film or his new character seems too similar to Wade Garrett, the remake movie series could sabotage its originality and become a mere subset of the 1989 film. Additionally, Sam Elliott’s portrayal of Wade Garrett in the original is considered one of its best elements.
Since Road House’s original legacy rests significantly on Sam Elliott’s memorable performance, Road House 2 could instantly land in everyone’s bad books if it unknowingly undermines what made Wade Garrett special. Hopefully, if the actor returns for the remake’s sequel, his involvement will be handled carefully. While only time will tell whether this casting wish will eventually materialize, Road House 2 could level up the franchise if it manages to reinstate Sam Elliott with a fresh perspective while still honoring the original’s legacy.