Classy: Nic Cage No-Shows His New Movie

Mel Gibson aside, there's pretty much one unwritten rule - a rule they also happen to write down in contracts, by the way - that you're just not supposed to break in show business: You don't throw an entire production under the bus. Jeremy Piven on Broadway, that guy from Amelie who directed and shit-talked Vin Diesel's Babylon A.D. weeks before it was released, and now Nicolas Cage. There are many more examples, of course, but you get the idea. As for Cage, he has apparently walked off Trespass, a new film from Millennium that's just a couple weeks from production in Louisiana, and though the studio is kind of committed to moving forward, it will have to find a new lead actor. Honestly, the movie could be better off. Cage is damaged goods right now, and his most recent film, The Sorcerer's Apprentice had a lot of things in its favor but it failed to connect with audiences. That's a recurring theme for him. This was not some $3 million art house movie, not that it matters to the crew members who bust their asses based in part on the fact that movies like this get set into motion because of the actors who sign up. So, good for Millennium keeping its head. I don't particularly like Joel Schumacher as a director, but the combo of Cage, Schumacher, and Nicole Kidman isn't exactly small potatoes. Cage was reportedly being paid $7 million for his time. So what happened? He left last week and went to the Bahamas. Poof. It could have been exhaustion since Cage has been working a lot lately and the worldwide press for Apprentice, especially in light of its slow box office trickle, might have worn him out. ...But still. Be a man, honor thy contract, and don't leave all those people slaving away for far less money and doing more work in a lurch so close to the beginning of the movie. What's more interesting is that just a few weeks ago, Cage switched characters, going from a good guy to a bad guy; he was scheduled to play Kidman's husband, and both are kidnapped in the story. Then he decided he wanted to be a kidnapper. Now he decided to bail. OK then.

Comments

[mdamien13]

No!!! Not the bees!!! Ah, they're in my eyes!!!

As good as Nic Cage can be, I'll never be able to shake that performance out of my head everytime his name is brought up.

[MRPigg]

I think you are right that he is kind of damaged goods right now. It's funny how he basically slipped under the radar in regards to Kick-Ass (available today on Blu-Ray and DVD! Tell your friends!) I wonder if it was his decision or the studio's so as not to "poison" curious moviegoers who don't really care for "Nic Cage movies," of which I am sure there are plenty.

[Jeremy H]

Nic Cage is the most hit or miss actor I can think of. I either LOVE or HATE his characterization. There's no grey are most of the time. And these days I don't give him the benefit of the doubt like I used to.

[Nick Capertina]

Characterization? He has no ability to play anything but Nic Cage. He's never a different character, he's just Nicolas Cage dressed in different clothes, with different hair, and in a different situation that requires him to roll around a little bit and maybe say a few one liners.

He reads dialogue like he has a concussion. Thats being nice.

I can't remember the last time he's been good. Its been that long. I hear a movie title and I'm like "hmmm" and then BAM! Nicolas Cage, and its a no go. I haven't put myself through one of his films since Lord of War. Which wasn't horrible, but only because I like Jared Leto in most things he does.

He just needs to walk off the set on all of his future films. That would be awesome. =P

[Panda]

I have to agree with Mr Capertina. Nicolas Cage has got to be the most overrated "actor". Ever. Period. I've given his movies the benefit of the doubt on at least three occasions and I'm still in therapy as a result. Particularly because of Ghost Rider - a comic series that I absolutely loved as a kid growing up. I was so excited upon hearing that they were going to make it into a film. Then not so excited on hearing that Nicolas Cage was going to be in it. Then ended up crying with rage and frustration on seeing the risible finished product. It was absolutely terrible and he totally ruined it. On the evidence of Cage's past "work", nepotism within the business should be outlawed and made a crime - punishable with a life sentence of watching Nic Cage and Martin Lawrence movies, with only the very rare cases being made exceptions to the rule and/or offered a probationary period.

[Nick Capertina]

The fact that they're ruining the face of Ghost Rider for good with a SEQUEL to the horrible first film is deplorable.

Its a sad day when just because a film made a little over budget, they decide to go through with a sequel. Especially when it involves The Cage!

[marie heywood( crazy cage fan)]

Nic cage has to be the most amazing actor ever . i have never seen a guy who can do so much and i have all his movies and have just seen sorcerers apprentice and it was again amazing. Not only is he the best actor ever , he is so good looking he is the perfect all round actor and has far as i am concerned he should be able to pick and choose his role and take a vacation if he wants to without it being a big deal. He works hard and has a family and he is also a decent guy i totally admire him and the way he is generally he is after all just human like the rest of us and hey dont we all get fed up at work on the odd accasion. ( i do ) and yes we would still be fed up making 7 million has we are never gratefull for what we have and thats life, so ok if you dont like nic has a actor dont watch his films no one forces you to watch them thats your choice all i ask is that you stop your moaning for the ones amongst us that are his fans and the ones who will watch his films no matter what .
Nic your amazing and i for one will never stop watching your films i love everything about you keep up the hard work and believe me your true fans know that your the best actor out there and they are the ones that matter .
At the end of the day people will disagree with me about this but hey if we all loved the same things life would be really dull .

Anyway Nic good luck in all your future roles i know myself and many others will also be looking forward to many more amazing cage films . :)