Jake Gyllenhaal 'embraces the streaming world'

Jake Gyllenhaal has declared he "embraces the streaming world" after his new movie was caught up in a row over its online-only release.

The 43-year-old actor actor stars in a remake of 1989 action movie 'Road House' and the film's director Doug Liman has decided to boycott the premiere at the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival next month over Amazon MGM Studios' decision not to release the movie in cinemas - but Jake is adamant he sees both sides of the argument.

He told Total Film magazine: "I’m a deep lover of cinema and the theatrical release - but I also do really embrace the streaming world."

Jake also insisted he supports Liman's decision not to attend the premiere because it shows how much he cares about the movie.

He explained: "I adore Doug’s tenacity, and I think he is advocating for filmmakers, and film in the cinema, and theatrical releases. But, I mean, Amazon was always clear that it was streaming.

"I just want as many people to see it as possible. And I think we’re living in a world that’s changing in how we see and watch movies, and how they’re made.

"What’s clear to me, and what I loved so much, was [Liman’s] deep love for this movie, and his pride at how much he cares for it, how good he feels it is, and how much people should see it.

"I’ve also sat watching a film on my computer, or in different places, and been so profoundly moved. If the job of a story is to move people, I have been moved in both forms."

Liman previously explained his issue with the decision to only release the film via Amazon Prime Video in an essay written for Deadline.com, revealing he signed up to make a "theatrical" movie for MGM but that changed when Amazon bought the studio.

He went on to accuse Amazon bosses of "no interest in supporting cinemas" and hurting "both the filmmakers and stars of 'Road House'".

Liman wrote: "When Road House opens the SXSW film festival, I won’t be attending. The movie is fantastic, maybe my best, and I’m sure it will bring the house down and possibly have the audience dancing in their seats during the end credits. But I will not be there.

My plan had been to silently protest Amazon’s decision to stream a movie so clearly made for the big screen. But Amazon is hurting way more than just me and my film ...

"Contrary to their public statements, Amazon has no interest in supporting cinemas. Amazon will exclusively stream Road House on Amazon’s Prime ... That hurts the filmmakers and stars of 'Road House' who don’t share in the upside of a hit movie on a streaming platform.

"And they deprive Jake Gyllenhaal - who gives a career-best performance - the opportunity to be recognised come award season. But the impact goes far beyond this one movie. This could be industry shaping for decades to come."