Jake Gyllenhaal takes on Patrick Swayze classic 'Road House' in SXSW opening night film

Reboots don't hurt. Especially when they star Jake Gyllenhaal, whose moody and muscular roles, always bring out the best in the movie star.

The Oscar-nominated actor who came to movie lovers' attention decades ago in "Donnie Darko" is taking on a cult classic with a remake of the Patrick Swayze-led 80's flick, "Road House." The update will serve as the opening night film at South by Southwest on March 8.

The "Brokeback Mountain Star" is paired here with director Doug Liman, whose work on "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and "The Bourne Identity" portends that the story of the mysterious bouncer James Dalton should be told with plenty of propulsive energy and a proper wink.

More: SXSW to world premiere Ryan Gosling's 'The Fall Guy,' Netflix's epic '3 Body Problem'

The narrative from the 1989 film has been modernized to include a UFC backstory for the sexy brawler, with the film's primary action moved from the Midwest to the sultry Florida Keys.

"Road House" bows on opening night, March 8, at the Paramount Theater, with the fist-throwing vengeance flick destined for release by Amazon on March 21.

How to attend SXSW 2024

SXSW will be March 8-16. Badge rates are about to go up again, but at press time they were $1,835 for a Platinum pass (which grants access to all festival and conference tracks); $1,445 for an Interactive festival pass; $1,345 for a Film and Television festival pass and $890 for a music festival badge. Music and Film Festival wristbands will be made available to locals closer to the fest.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Jake Gyllenhaal stars in a remake of 'Road House,' SXSW's opening film