Naman Shrestha
Since the 1980s, Nicolas Kim Coppola, popularly known by his stage name Nicolas Cage, has been a regular feature in several popular and critically acclaimed films, earning him various accolades along the way. His portrayal of an alcoholic in the 1995 drama film ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ not only won the hearts of his fans and critics but also earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He continued to impress the critics with his performances in ‘Raising Arizona,’ ‘Adaptation,’ ‘Face/Off,’ and ‘Mandy.’
Cage features in a couple of film series that showcase his ability to improvise and take on different kinds of roles. He stars in the ‘National Treasure’ film series as Benjamin Franklin Gates and in the ‘Ghost Rider’ film series as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider. His brilliant onscreen presence, especially in ‘Pig,’ ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,’ and most recently in ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ and ‘The Retirement Plan,’ keeps our readers looking forward to his future projects.
1. The Gunslingers (2025)
Cage will star alongside Stephen Dorff, Costas Mandylor, and Heather Graham in an upcoming Western film written and directed by Brian Skiba. Set in the Western town of Redemption, the film follows reformed gunslinger Thomas Keller, played by Dorff, and a mad genius named Ben, played by Cage. A spiritual leader named Jericho, played by Mandylor, guides Thomas and Ben in their spiritual quest for vindication. However, a deadly feud with the infamous Five Points Gang sets Thomas and Ben on a path underscored by revenge, violence, and a dark past. The film co-stars Heather Graham, Bre Blair, and William McNamara. ‘The Gunslingers’ is currently in post-production and is expected to be released on January 12, 2025.
2. The Prince (2025)
Director Cameron Van Hoy has started filming ‘The Prince,’ a drama written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet. The film showcases the tumultuous journey of Parker Scott, an addict, as he navigates his way through power, pleasure, and pain in search of recovery. As per sources, Parker Scott is loosely based on Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden. Hunter’s drug abuse is documented in his memoir ‘Beautiful Things.’ Scott Haze plays the role of Parker Scott. He is joined by Cage, J.K. Simmons, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Rex, and Andy Garcia. The release is set for May 10, 2025.
3. The Surfer (TBA)
After riding a fiery motorbike in ‘Ghost Rider,’ Cage is set to ride some waves now as he will star in the upcoming psychological thriller film ‘The Surfer.’ With filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan (‘Vivarium’) at the helm, it centers upon a man who returns to his beachside hometown, only to be humiliated by a group of local surfers in front of his son. When the surfers claim ownership over the beach of his childhood, the man goes to extreme lengths and declares war against them. The film co-stars Julian McMahon, Nicholas Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, and Justin Rosniak. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2024. A theatrical release date is yet to be revealed. You can check out an official clip of the film right here.
4. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (TBA)
Cage will soon make his return as Spider-Man Noir as currently in its filming stage is the highly-anticipated third installment of Sony’s animated Spider-verse film, titled ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.’ However, it will serve as the second part of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’ It has regrouped the same creative team – writers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham and directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson. As per the makers, the film will explore the interpersonal relationships of Miles, Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) after picking up from the shocking cliffhanger at the end of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’ The film is currently in its production phase, and although there is a chance of its release by the end of 2025, a release date has yet to be announced.
5. Lords of War (TBA)
The sequel to the 2005 movie ‘Lord of War,’ ‘Lords of War’ is set to reunite the Academy Award winner Cage and the filmmaker Andrew Niccol. Reprising his role, Cage will portray Yuri Orlov, the world’s most famous arms dealer, who finds out that he has a son named Anton (Bill Skarsgård). Rather than righting his father’s wrongs, Anton attempts to top his wrongs instead as he raises a mercenary army to help him fight America’s Middle East conflicts. Cage is also attached to the project as one of the producers. Laura Harrier has also been roped in for a yet-undisclosed role. The film is yet to begin production and will explore multiple African countries and the Middle East. It is expected to be released in 2025.
6. The Carpenter’s Son (TBA)
Currently in its pre-production stage, ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ is a horror film to be directed by Lotfy Nathan. Inspired by Jesus’ childhood and based on the 2nd-century gospel, ‘Infancy Gospel of Thomas,’ the story is set in Roman Egypt. It follows a son, known as ‘the Boy,’ who is coerced into doubting his guardian, ‘The Carpenter,’ by another mysterious kid. As the Boy rebels against the Carpenter, the former unlocks inexplicable powers and a fate beyond understanding while being subjected to natural and divine horrors. Cage will play the role of the Carpenter. Noah Jupe will play the Boy, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter FKA twigs will play the Boy’s mother. A release date has yet to be announced.
7. Spider-Noir (TBA)
Much to the gladness of Spider-Man fans worldwide, Amazon MGM Studios has started working on a live-action Spider-Man Noir series based on an alternate version of the Marvel superhero. Cage has already voiced the character in Sony’s animated Spider-Verse movies, and in this series, he will play the character. Harry Bradbeer will direct the first two episodes.
The project is a part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The character was first introduced in Marvel Comics’ ‘Noir’ (2009) and belongs to 1930s New York during the Great Depression. This version of Spider-Man is a private investigator, darker and more hardened. Alongside Cage, the cast includes Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Li Jun Li, and Whitney Rice. While there are no reports about the rest of the cast or a release date, the project has reached its pre-production stage. ‘Noir’ will first arrive on MGM+ and then hit Prime Video.
8. Madden (TBA)
Writer-director David O. Russell is set to direct the titular Amazon MGM Studios-backed biographical drama based on the life and career of legendary American football coach and sports commentator John Madden. It will explore Madden’s route of success and popularity, from his time as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s, taking the team to its first Super Bowl victory, to 30 years as a commentator post-retirement to becoming the namesake of ‘Madden NFL,’ the popular video game franchise. Cage is the only revealed cast member till now. The film is currently in its pre-production phase and is awaiting a release date.
9. Highfire (TBA)
Cage is attached to lend his voice to Lord Highfire in the upcoming TV series based on the adult novel titled ‘Highfire’ by Eoin Colfer. The gritty thriller series revolves around Highfire (Cage), who is a vodka-drinking and Flashdance-loving dragon residing isolated in the bayous of Louisiana. This will mark Nicolas’ first major scripted TV series, leaving the fans in anticipation. The series is getting adapted by Davey Holmes, who created ‘Get Shorty’ for Epix. The project was initially in development at Amazon before finding a new home at Paramount+. With no official announcements regarding its production, the show’s release date is uncertain.
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