EDGE Interview: With 'Road House' Remake, Lukas Gage Kicks His Career Into High Gear

Lukas Gage, a true embodiment of dedication and passion, has been a force to reckon with in television and film. With an impressive lineup of seven projects in 2023 alone, Gage is all set to continue his streak in 2024 with the releases of "Smile 2" and "Dead Boy Detectives." However, his latest venture, a reimagining of the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic "Road House," looks to captivate audiences when it streams on Amazon Prime Video starting March 21.

Gage first made news when he was shamed by a British director for his low-rent digs during an audition. (Gage famously responded: "I know it's a shitty apartment. That's why give me this job so I can get a better one.") This led to a supporting role on "The White Lotus" and a scene that made him click bait in which he was caught being rimmed by Murray Bartlett. (Read what his mother had to say about the scene here.) That he later said he wanted to "normalize rimming" on Andy Cohen's late night show only led to speculation about him being gay. At first, he said such questions were an intrusion on his private life, but he came out publicly last year with the announcement of his relationship with celebrity stylist Chris Appleton. They married, . In addition to appearing in "Road House," he co-starred (with Zachary Quinto) and co-wrote (with writing partner Phoebe Fisher) the dark comedy "Down Low," last October. The film is available to view on major streaming platforms.

"Road House," directed by Doug Liman, premiered recently at South by Southwest and promises an adrenaline-fueled ride with its stellar cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor, and Gage. Gage's character, a bartender at The Road House, a notorious beachside establishment, is caught amid its violent patrons and seedy criminal underbelly. Gyllenhaal's former UFC fighter Dalton is the bar's bouncer and protector, and Gage's Billy joins him in his mission, even engaging in physical altercations with unruly regulars.

EDGE had the privilege of joining Lukas Gage for a press junket, where he candidly shared his thoughts on "Road House," his love for 1980s styles and Cher, and how he manages to balance such a demanding work schedule.

Below are some excerpts from the interview.

On what 2023 has been like and returning to SXSW after the success of last year's "Down Low":

Lukas Gage: It was just an honor to be back at South by Southwest. It's a festival that I've been a fan of for so long and, to me, some of my favorite movies have come from that festival. So to just be a part of it at all, it has been incredible. I mean, last year was a bit of a different story having something that I was the lead and writing on and then this one to be just a part of this crazy, huge-budgeted studio film was a different experience... I think the last year or so has been great. Just being able to work with filmmakers and actors and go to all these cool locations to do films has been a blessing. It's been great.

EDGE: What was it like updating "Road House" for a modern audience?

Lukas Gage: I wasn't a part of those conversations, I just got cast in it. But I do have to give a nod to Amazon and Doug [Liman] and Jake [Gyllenhaal] and everyone involved with making sure this was a more diverse film and not doing anything problematic like the original film. The original film is incredible in so many ways. But definitely a lot of the things that they had in it, you can't do those things in movies anymore. And rightfully so. We should not have them in this version of this movie. It wasn't really about making a remake. It was really a reimagined, completely different, totally diverse film... we're not trying to copy that movie at all. I watched the [original] movie of course, and then by the time I got on set, I just surrendered to Doug Liman and the rest of the cast and kind of got lost in this version of it.

EDGE: On being part of an ensemble cast and adjusting his workout routine for the role:

Lukas Gage: I mean, there's just so many people in the cast that I have looked up to like Jake [Gyllenhaal], Jessica Williams, Billy Magnussen, Conor [McGregor]... I mean the whole cast was so fun and so many colleagues of mine that I just think are incredible. So that was a pleasure to be a part of and just immerse myself and go toe-to-toe with them. The workout element was intense. I worked out a ton. We had six hours of training for two weeks. We wanted to do all our own stunts. We had to get in shape and I felt like I have never been more sore in my life than I was in that movie. But I loved it. I still go to boxing classes and incorporate that into my workout routine now. So it's cool.

EDGE: How he manages a grueling filming schedule with simultaneous projects:

Lukas Gage: I start my morning off with a Red Bull IV drip. I'm so happy to be working. I feel so grateful to be working. I love to work. I feel like I thrive when I'm busy. I don't do well with free time. I don't know how to do it yet. So yeah, when I'm not acting on set I'm writing and just creating more stories and I love it. I have no complaints. I'd rather be tired than bored.