Latest news with #Roadhouse
Metro
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Ghost legend Patrick Swayze was ‘the 10th choice' for iconic 90s movie
It's hard to imagine anyone else but Patrick Swayze leading the way in Ghost 35 years ago, but it turns out that he was quite far down the list of options for the role. The tear-jerking romantic drama was released on July 13, 1990, and instantly became one of the biggest hits of all time thanks to the star-studded cast, an amazing soundtrack and that pottery wheel. Jerry Zucker's film followed the ghost of murdered banker Sam Wheat (Patrick) as he attempted to warn girlfriend Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) about his killers, through the unwitting help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg). The flick broke box office records and grossed more than $505million worldwide, landing five Oscar nominations and two wins – and, 35 years later, still regularly appears on the list of best romance movies. However, it could have been a very different story as those behind the scenes wanted an entirely different line-up. Speaking to Metro ahead of the milestone anniversary, noted casting director Janet Hirshenson revealed that Swayze – who died in 2009 at the age of 57 – was actually the 10th choice for the part. Unpacking the history, she lifted the lid on how the director was eventually tricked into letting him audition in the first place. 'We did a lot of movies with Patrick, I loved him very much. And that was a crazy casting,' she recalled, revealing that casting partner Jane Jenkins did most of the work on the 1990 classic. 'For Patrick's part, the studio only wanted to make it with one of 10 box office actors. The 10th choice was Patrick, but Jerry Zucker didn't want to cast him because he'd just seen Roadhouse, and didn't think he was right. 'He was Texan, and [the character] was supposed to be a banker. Jane said, 'Well, there are Texans that are bankers, you know!' They kept saying no…' While she didn't tell us who those other nine actors were, she confessed Jenkins 'concocted' a plan with Swayze's casting agent to get him the role. 'She made an appointment and Jerry went crazy,' Hirshenson continued. 'Jane and the agent planned it, so she called his agent and yelled at her, like 'How dare you set this up?!' Then she [told Jerry], 'I don't know, he's here… We've got to see him…' 'So, he came in and she read with him. It was the producer and Jerry, they came in and did the reading…. The producer was crying during the audition. At the end of the scene, Jerry Zucker jumped up and went, 'Well that's it!'' Ghost, also starring Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles, Vincent Schiavelli and Armelia McQueen, was met with huge praise from fans and critics alike when it first hit the big screen more than three decades ago. It currently commands a huge Rotten Tomatoes score of 80%, with many branding the movie 'perfect', 'classic', 'timeless' and 'brilliant'. Although Swayze and Moore were the main love story, it's fair to say that Goldberg stole every single scene she was in – she took home a best supporting actress Oscar for her efforts as Oda Mae, as well as a Bafta, a Golden Globe and a string of other trophies. But it turns out that Zucker wasn't originally sold on the Lion King legend, and initially declared that he didn't 'want to use her'. Reflecting on how she eventually landed the role, Hirshenson confessed that her audition took place in an airport. 'Whoopi Goldberg wasn't set and Patrick loved the idea also,' she added. 'Jerry and Patrick ended up going to Atlanta, where she was shooting a movie, and they met in the airport so Patrick could read with Whoopi. More Trending 'The two of them became very, very close friends. They had such great chemistry, I thought. 'Who else could have played her but Whoopi Goldberg?!' We totally agree. This article was originally published on June 12, 2020. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Hollywood star, 84, reveals he nearly replaced iconic actor as James Bond MORE: Amazon Prime adds 'worst movie ever made' with a surprisingly good cast MORE: Danny Devito gives rare update on close friend Jack Nicholson's welfare
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Disturbing roadside find near Aussie campground prompts plea to 'cheeky' tourists
The frustrated owner of a family-run campground in the heart of one of Australia's most iconic tourist regions has issued a plea to 'cheeky' travellers after making a disturbing roadside find. Jil, who runs Tirranna Springs Roadhouse in northwest Queensland with her husband, was heading down her driveway earlier this week with her children and dogs in tow when she spotted the remnants of a campfire still burning on the side of the track. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, the mum said it didn't take her long to realise that visitors had driven past her business after the sun set and illegally camped overnight on her private property. While it's not the first time a tourist has snuck in hoping to score a free night's accommodation on her land, Jil said it was the pile of hot embers left behind the next morning that really got her fired up. 'That's what made me angry,' she said, noting it was 'lucky' no one had accidentally stepped on it. 'The whole area relies on tourism quite heavily, and we're only open for three or four months of the year. The rest of the year, it's either too hot or too wet. 'If you want to free camp, fine, out in the bush, but not in my driveway — that's silly. Might as well call in and spend the $15 and support a family,' Jil said, referring to the price of the Roadhouse's unpowered sites. The campground, located near the infamous Gregory River Crossing, also features powered sites, ensuite units, toilet blocks, showers, a 24-hour fuel station, a restaurant, and a small shop. Jil and her husband took over the Tirranna Springs Roadhouse in 2018, but have spent the last two years rebuilding after three back-to-back floods destroyed everything. 'We got completely wiped out — our home, our farm animals, our pets and all of our stuff,' Jil told Yahoo. The last thing the business needs now is the threat of a bushfire, she said. 'It's so dry and windy. It only takes a gust of wind to take those embers somewhere else, and bang, we're on fire.' In an attempt to deter others, Jil pleaded with travellers online this week to please be responsible. While most tourists are "greatly appreciated", she often busts groups trying to camp in bushland on her property. 'A lot of times it is people camping just outside of our view. They don't pull into the driveway, they just drive around us and camp. It does happen quite a bit,' she said. 'They've never left a fire behind before but they do use our toilets and showers in the hotel accommodation, and then go back out to their free camp. That's proper cheeky.' 🚐 Brazen $300k act prompts caravan warning amid growing Aussie trend 🏕️ Major crackdown coming to travel hotspot amid surge in illegal camping 🔥 Aussie traveller calls out deadly recurring issue after 11,000km trip And Tirranna is not the only local business impacted by the trend. Hudson, manager of the nearby Burke and Wills Roadhouse, told Yahoo tourists often camp in a vacant lot across the road and wander over to use their facilities. 'They tend to go park over there among the bushes. To be fair most of them come over and buy food and everything so they can use the showers and the toilets, but a lot of them tend to not do that.' Councils across the country continue to crack down on illegal camping at major tourist areas, with levels of overcrowding, damage to the environment, and littering soaring at frequently visited spots. Yahoo has contacted the Burke Shire Council for comment. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Relay For Life dinner set for Saturday at Fairgrounds
PLATTSBURGH — The Relay For Life of Plattsburgh is near and dear to Julie Stalker. Her husband is a survivor. Her late mother-in-law was a survivor. 'Definitely, a lot of my friends and other family members have been touched, so that's what drives me,' the survivorship lead said. 'But we have this mantra that we say: 'Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.' We celebrate our survivors. Remember those that we lost. And, we fight back because we want cancer to go away.' To that end, 'Fight Cancer in All Colors' is the theme of the Relay For Life of Plattsburgh, whose annual Survivor Celebration Dinner will be held from 3-10 p.m. Saturday at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 84 Fair Grounds Road, Morrisonville. 'My role for the Relay is we honor our survivors,' Stalker said. 'We have a committee of probably 10 people that plan out the afternoon and early evening for the survivors.' Event opening ceremonies include remarks by Joan Sterling, American Cancer Society senior development manager Northeast Region, and others. During the Survivor Walk, the first lap will be led by survivors and caregivers. 'So, the survivors kick off the Relay,' Stalker said. 'We walk around the track, and then they meet up with their caregivers and go on to Survivor Hall and have dinner.' The dinner is sponsored by Butcher Block, and the menu includes baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, and Texas Roadhouse rolls. 'We are very lucky to have them, and also Texas Roadhouse, the last couple of years, has furnished us with their famous Roadhouse rolls,' she said. 'Our survivors get very excited about those. For dessert, Sam's Club has donated the cupcakes. That's our meal. We are pretty excited about it.' As of Wednesday evening, 157 survivors had registered for the event. 'But that doesn't mean if you didn't register and you're a survivor, you can still come to the Relay and we will still feed you,' Stalker added. 'We've had survivors come in and weren't able to register online or didn't get a chance to call. They wanted to know if they could still come and enjoy the Relay, and we say come on along. This is for you.' This year marks the American Cancer Society's 40th anniversary of Relay For Life. 'I've been involved with the community event for over 20 years,' Stalker said. 'I've held many positions. I've had the survivor community chair, I think, for the last five years.' There are 45 local teams participating this year, and their goal is $140,000. Thus far, they have raised $99,145.86. Last year, the same number of teams raised $147,000. 'The teams have events,' Stalker said. 'They have car washes. They have bake sales. They do those kind of things to raise money. On Saturday, if they haven't already put it online or they can bring whatever they raise. Also at the event, the teams do different things at their sites. I definitely encourage people to come. We have a team that does a dime toss or different kinds of competitions, different kinds of giveaways, those kinds of things they do to raise money for the American Cancer Society.' The public can view a gallery of 'Portraits of Hope' in Sam's Club in Consumer Square. 'Sam's Club is very gracious to us because they allow us to put these up,' Stalker said. 'These are last year's honorees that are on this year. The new honorees will be revealed on Saturday at 3 (p.m.). Not only Sam's Club does this for us, but the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center does it for us. The hospital had them out before. These honorees on the wall are cancer survivors that tell a little bit about their story, whether they had breast cancer or maybe testicular cancer or another form of cancer. This is our third year doing it. 'We have people that want to share their story or want to advocate and make people understand this is important and you should make sure that you get yourself check. You go to doctor and do what you need to do and have all that information. Knowledge is power.'
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Nate Diaz claims he turned down Conor McGregor's role in Road House
'I ain't going to no movie and losing to no Brokeback Mountain.' Nate Diaz has claimed he turned down the role Conor McGregor played in the Road House reboot. The former MMA fighter landed the role of Knox in the 2024 film alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. Now, his fiercest rival has said he turned down the role because he didn't want to 'lose' an onscreen fight. 'I was supposed to do Conor McGregor's part in Road House,' he told the HJR podcast. 'That was my part, but I was like, 'I'm not fighting, go in there, and losing a fight.' 'I've seen the original Roadhouse. So I'm the main bad guy? I'm supposed to fight … okay, who's the Patrick Swayze then? And they said it was Jake Gyllenhaal and I'm like, 'I ain't going to no movie and losing to no Brokeback Mountain.' 'F*ck that. I'm good. I can't do it.' Diaz and McGregor have been bitter rivals since they first took to the ring in two 2016 bouts. McGregor v Diaz Diaz won their first fight, but a few months later, McGregor won their second by decision following a five-round rematch. McGregor landed a role in the remake of the 1989 film when he was in recovery after breaking his leg in 2021. He played the role of a hitman tasked with killing Gyllenhaal's character Elwood Dalton. A fan of the original movie starring Patrick Swayze, McGregor said he turned down 'a good few roles' before agreeing to star in Road House. 'I've had directors show up at fight camp, really beautiful directors doing really top-end movies… And over and over, they'd come to me, and I always turned them down,' he told Total Film. 'I'd leave people a little high and dry. I probably have a few enemies out there that I don't really know of because I had said, 'I might do it.'" Gyllenhaal said that during filming, he had to repeatedly remind McGregor not to 'actually hit' him. "There were a couple of times — actually, almost every time — I had to turn to him, and I'd be like, 'Remember, you don't actually hit me.' Nate Diaz / Conor McGregor - Getty Images News in 90 Seconds - May 27th He said he gave McGregor acting tips in exchange for grappling advice. 'He was like, 'OK, let's go!' But then there were times we were grappling, and he's talking to me while we were grappling. 'He's like, 'Right arm under. Wrap your leg around me. Now pull me up, through the legs.' 'So there was a real exchange. He came up to me, and he was like, 'I did that last take. What did you think of that? Was it a bit too big?' I'd be like, 'Well, you have that. Try this.' 'There was a real back-and-forth between us, and a deep respect for both of our primary occupations."
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Nate Diaz claims he was supposed to star in 'Road House,' not Conor McGregor
Nate Diaz claims he was supposed to star in 'Road House,' not Conor McGregor Nate Diaz says he had to pass the role of "Road House" to his former UFC rival Conor McGregor. Apparently, the movie remake of "Road House" was supposed to look a lot different. Former UFC star Nate Diaz claims that he was the original plan to play the protagonist's bad guy, Knox, and not his rival Conor McGregor, who ended up co-starring in the film alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. "Road House" was released in 2024 on Prime Video, and it made plenty of headlines given McGregor's involvement. Diaz claimed he turned down the role due to Gyllenhaal's prior role as a gay lover. "I was supposed to do Conor McGregor's part in Road House," Diaz said on "The HJR Podcast." "That was my part, but I was like I'm not fighting, go in there and losing a fight. I've seen the original Roadhouse. So I'm the main bad guy? I'm supposed to fight who's the Patrick Swayze then? And they said it was Jake Gyllenhaal, and I'm like, 'I ain't going to no movie and losing to no 'Brokeback Mountain.' F*ck that. I'm good. I can't do it." McGregor and Diaz have plenty of history between the two. They're fought twice, with Diaz submitting McGregor in the first fight back in 2016, and McGregor winning the second bout by decision a few months later that same year. Since, the two have spent tons of time trash talking each other online, and many hoped to see a trilogy bout between the two – which now seems unlikely. Diaz is no longer signed with the UFC, and McGregor hasn't fought since breaking his leg in 2021.
