“Blatant copyright infringement!” Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated Hollywood film finds trouble after lawsuit filing from screenwriter

The remake of Road House featuring Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal confronts a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement and AI misuse.

“Blatant copyright infringement!” Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated Hollywood film finds trouble after lawsuit filing from screenwriter

Conor McGregor's debut movie facing lawsuit (Image via: IMAGO, X)

Conor McGregor‘s Hollywood debut opposite Jake Gyllenhaal has met with a legal roadblock weeks before its release. The movie is the remake of the cult classic Road House which starred Patrick Swayze as the protagonist. The remake trailer received huge applause from fans worldwide. Nonetheless, the recent lawsuit is a massive hindrance. MMAMania’s Jesse Holand reported the news, which Deadline first reported.

R Lance Hill was the screenwriter of the film, and he has now filed a lawsuit alleging that the remake violated copyright laws. Hills aim is to get an injunction from the court to halt the release of the movie. The reason for Hill’s action was that he was alleging that he had owned the copyright for the original movie since November of 2023. This is what Hill’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, said about the lawsuit.

This case arises from Defendants’ blatant copyright infringement due to their willful failure to license the requisite motion picture and ancillary rights to Hill’s Screenplay underlying their derivative 2024 Remake as required by law.
Marc Toberoff via R Lance Hill’s 19-page complaint

In addition to copyright violations, Hill has accused the production company of the film of violating AI rules. Hill alleged that the production company used AI illegally in the movie during the time of the SAG strikes.

The film had a star-studded lineup behind and in front of the camera. However, controversy surrounded the movie. Doug Liman, the director of the film was at odds with the production company for the OTT release. Liman wanted a widescale theatrical release for the movie. However, Gyllenhaal confirmed that the plan from the beginning was to release the film via OTT.

Conor McGregor shares behind-the-scenes stills from Road House movie set

Many UFC fighters have appeared in Hollywood movies. However, none had a starring role as a primary antagonist or protagonist like Conor McGregor. Before McGregor, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson appeared in the film A-Team with Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson, and Jessica Biel. Jackson had a supporting role in the movie.

Conor McGregor starred in Road House
Conor McGregor (Image via: IMAGO, X)

McGregor has indulged in the promotion of his debut movie and recently shared behind-the-scenes stills from the movie. Some of the stills showed him in character as the antagonist, Knox, whilst some stills showed the action sequence between him and Jake Gyllenhaal. McGregor had earlier claimed that he was the highest-paid debutant in Hollywood.

As part of the promotion of the movie, Gyllenhaal and McGregor have attended UFC events together. Incidentally, Gyllenhaal will portray an ex-UFC middleweight fighter in the movie. McGregor’s role is that of an antagonist with good fighting skills.

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