Nicolas Cage is eager to clarify misconceptions about some of the less stellar movies he chose during his financial challenges.
Though Cage concedes that certain film choices were financially motivated, he insists he was always committed to delivering his best in every role.
“I had put too much into real estate. Then the property market tanked, and I was caught off-guard,” Cage explained to Sharyn Alfonsi on 60 Minutes. “I managed to pay everything back, roughly $6 million, without resorting to bankruptcy.”
Admitting that the phase was tough, he mentioned that his work was his saving grace.
A Revival in Cage’s Career
Speaking about some of his roles from that period, many of which were direct-to-DVD films, he commented, “Though they weren’t high-end projects, I was still working.” He’s since seen a resurgence in his career with standout movies like “Pig” and “Mandy.” The actor’s trajectory continues to rise with films like “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” from 2022 and “Renfield” set for this year.
“Even if a film wasn’t critically acclaimed, the audience knows I always gave it my all,” Cage emphasized.
From that period, one of this reporter’s standout favorites was the 2019 thriller “Grand Isle,” directed by Stephen S. Campanelli.
The movie revolves around a struggling father, Buddy (played by Luke Benward), who needs funds for his ailing daughter and takes up a fencing job for an eccentric couple, Walter and Fancy (portrayed by Cage and KaDee Strickland). Things take a twist when Buddy faces a murder accusation and narrates to Detective Jones (Kelsey Grammar) the bizarre events of a stormy weekend spent with the peculiar couple.
While the movie has its flaws, Cage’s portrayal of Walter, an embittered veteran in constant conflict with his wife, is pure gold, delivering some of the most memorably quirky lines.
Another noteworthy film from that era is the 2013’s “Joe,” directed by David Gordon Green.
This isn’t the first instance of Cage addressing his film choices during his financial difficulties.
“There’s the narrative of my financial stress that lasted over a decade. I had a firm resolve: not to go bankrupt but to work my way out. And I did, something I take pride in,” Cage shared in our Spring 2022 cover story for MovieMaker.
“But I never settled for a role unless I felt I could add value. I also declined many offers. The backstory people often miss is my relentless effort to pull through.”