The Knockout Lineup: Every Confirmed And Rumored Star In The Road House 2 Cast
The highly anticipated sequel to Amazon MGM’s record-breaking 2024 action hit, Road House 2, is officially in pre-production, and the casting news is already delivering a knockout blow. As of December 2025, the studio has confirmed a star-studded lineup that blends major Hollywood names with some of the biggest, most legitimate fighters in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). This strategy, which proved so successful in the first film, is being amplified for the sequel, promising an even more intense and authentic action experience. Fans are buzzing not just about the return of the lead star, but also about the surprising additions that suggest a global, high-stakes narrative for the next chapter of Dalton’s story.
The original film, which saw Jake Gyllenhaal’s ex-UFC fighter Elwood Dalton take on a crew of thugs in the Florida Keys, became Amazon Prime Video's most-watched movie debut ever, making a sequel an immediate greenlight. The new film is set to be directed by Ilya Naishuller and written by Will Beall, signaling a fresh, adrenaline-fueled direction. The following list breaks down every major actor and fighter confirmed or rumored to be joining the Road House 2 cast, detailing their roles and what their involvement means for the sequel's plot and action sequences.
The Confirmed Core Cast and Returning Characters
The foundation of any successful sequel rests on its returning star, and Road House 2 is no exception. Jake Gyllenhaal’s committed performance as the philosophical but deadly cooler, Elwood Dalton, was the heart of the 2024 movie, and his return is the anchor for the new ensemble. However, the sequel is not just bringing back its lead; it’s building a new, formidable core cast around him.
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Elwood Dalton: Gyllenhaal is set to reprise his role as the former UFC middleweight fighter who became a "cooler." His commitment to the intense physical training required for the role is already legendary, and he has joked about the "terrifying" prospect of getting ripped again for the sequel. Dalton's story remains the central focus, likely exploring his past, his continued struggle with violence, or a new, more dangerous assignment that pulls him out of his quiet life.
- Jay Hieron as Jax "Jetway" Harris: A welcome return for fans of the first film, former mixed martial artist Jay Hieron will reprise his role as Jax "Jetway" Harris. Jax was a fellow UFC fighter and a key connection to Dalton's past, and his return suggests the sequel will delve deeper into the MMA world and Dalton's history within it.
- Dave Bautista (Role Unconfirmed): The addition of former WWE superstar and acclaimed actor Dave Bautista is a massive coup for the sequel. Bautista, known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune, brings both massive star power and genuine action credibility. While his specific role is unconfirmed, he is widely speculated to be the film's new primary antagonist or a major force that either aids or opposes Dalton.
- Aldis Hodge (Role Unconfirmed): Aldis Hodge, a critically acclaimed actor known for his work in Black Adam and City on a Hill, has also joined the cast. Hodge’s presence suggests a role with significant dramatic weight, potentially as a law enforcement figure, a new club owner, or a rival from Dalton’s past who operates on the right—or wrong—side of the law.
- Leila George (Role Unconfirmed): Leila George (known for Animal Kingdom) is another key addition to the main cast. She is expected to play a new romantic interest or a vital contact who helps Dalton navigate the sequel's conflict, potentially replacing or connecting to the character of Ellie from the first movie.
The Shocking Roster of Real-Life MMA and Combat Sports Legends
The 2024 Road House remake gained significant praise for its authentic fight choreography and the casting of real-life UFC star Conor McGregor. Road House 2 is doubling down on this successful formula by bringing in a truly unprecedented number of professional combat athletes, ensuring the action sequences are grounded in real-world fighting expertise. This move not only adds topical authority but also generates massive buzz among fight fans.
The New Fighting Elite of Road House 2
The confirmed list of fighters joining the cast is a who's who of MMA and kickboxing, suggesting a narrative that may take Dalton into a professional fighting circuit or a high-stakes, international underground fight ring.
- Michael Chandler: A current top-tier UFC lightweight contender known for his explosive fighting style and incredible durability. His involvement ensures high-octane, believable fight scenes.
- Dustin Poirier: One of the most popular and respected figures in the UFC, a former interim lightweight champion known as "The Diamond." Poirier's presence adds significant star power and a known face to the action segments.
- Michael “Venom” Page (MVP): A spectacular striker and former Bellator star who recently made a high-profile jump to the UFC. MVP is famous for his unique, flashy, and unorthodox fighting style, which will translate into memorable on-screen action.
- Stephen Thompson: Known by his nickname "Wonderboy," Thompson is an elite UFC welterweight and a decorated professional kickboxer. His technical, karate-based striking will provide a different flavor of combat than the brawling style of other cast members.
- Tyron Woodley: A former UFC Welterweight Champion. Woodley is a powerful wrestler and striker whose experience at the top of the sport brings a serious level of authenticity to the ensemble.
- Rico Verhoeven: A major addition from the world of kickboxing, Verhoeven is a multiple-time GLORY Heavyweight Champion. His casting signals that the sequel's combat may not be limited to MMA rules, potentially involving a wider range of fighting disciplines.
This unprecedented gathering of combat sports talent strongly suggests that the sequel will feature an organized tournament or a series of challenging, escalating fights that Dalton must overcome. The sheer number of legitimate fighters means that Gyllenhaal’s Dalton will be facing a gauntlet of highly skilled opponents, raising the stakes considerably beyond the local bar fights of the first film.
Supporting Roles and Creative Team Changes
In addition to the action stars, Road House 2 is bolstering its dramatic and comedic elements with proven character actors. These roles are often crucial for providing the narrative context and emotional stakes surrounding the fight sequences.
- Rob Delaney (Role Unconfirmed): Known for his comedic roles in projects like Catastrophe and Deadpool 2, Delaney’s casting hints at a return to the dark humor that occasionally peppered the first film. He could be playing a corrupt politician, a quirky club manager, or a new, hapless sidekick.
- Peter Sarsgaard (Role Unconfirmed): Sarsgaard is an acclaimed actor whose presence is a strong indicator of a more complex, villainous role. Known for his intensity in films like The Batman, he is likely to be the new criminal mastermind or powerful figure pulling the strings behind the sequel's conflict.
- Ilya Naishuller (Director): Taking over the directorial reins from Doug Liman, Ilya Naishuller is famous for his high-octane, first-person action film Hardcore Henry and the Bob Odenkirk-led hit Nobody. Naishuller’s signature style promises a raw, visceral, and highly innovative approach to the sequel's fight choreography.
- Will Beall (Screenwriter): Beall, known for his work on the DC Extended Universe films like Aquaman, is penning the screenplay. His background in large-scale action and superhero narratives suggests Road House 2 will be a bigger, more geographically diverse crime thriller.
The combination of a new director with a distinct action vision and a screenwriter with experience in blockbuster storytelling suggests that Road House 2 will be a significant escalation from the 2024 original. With a cast that includes a former WWE Champion, multiple UFC legends, and two Oscar-nominated actors, the sequel is poised to be one of the most physically demanding and star-studded action films in development right now. The production is currently in the pre-production stage, with filming expected to ramp up soon, keeping the promise of a fresh, intense, and unforgettable return to the world of Elwood Dalton.
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