Controversy has erupted once again in Hollywood as director Doug Liman claims that streaming giant Amazon has failed to properly compensate the creative team behind the massive success of the “Road House” remake on Prime Video.
In an interview with IndieWire, Liman alleges that despite the action film becoming Prime Video’s “most-watched produced film debut ever” with 50 million global viewers, neither he, star Jake Gyllenhaal, nor producer Joel Silver received additional pay beyond their original deal structured for a theatrical release.
Originally produced for MGM with plans for a big screen rollout, Liman says “Road House” was made according to contracts that compensated for box office performance. However, after Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, the tech behemoth unilaterally switched the film to streaming on Prime Video without adjusting terms – a decision Liman believes should have triggered extra rewards for the creative talent given the movie’s breakout viewership success on the platform.
By comparison, Liman pointed to his friction-free experience with Apple TV+ for his upcoming thriller “The Instigators,” where streaming rights and talent participation were clearly defined from the project’s inception. As the lines between theatrical, digital and hybrid releases continue blurring, Hollywood figures like Scarlett Johansson are pushing for updated rules ensuring artists are properly paid no matter the distribution model.
With a “Road House” sequel now in the works, it remains to be seen if Liman will come back to direct after feeling burned by Amazon’s handling of the original film’s runaway streaming performance. As competing platforms fight for content, the industry must find fair ways to reward creative visionaries driving viewership in this new digital age.
