Nicolas Cage is back with another wild thriller, teaming up with ‘Goosebumps’ star for a deadly standoff
After a remarkable 45-year run in Hollywood, megastar Nicolas Cage continues to defy expectations in an industry known for short-lived careers. From mainstream blockbusters to daring independent projects, Cage has repeatedly reinvented himself while maintaining a singular screen presence. His recent critically acclaimed performance in 'Longlegs' only reinforced his staying power, earning praise for intensity and restraint. Now, with renewed momentum and audience interest firmly behind him, Cage appears to return to familiar territory, i.e., leaning into the thriller genre that has long defined his most unforgettable work.
Production has begun for his new film, ‘Best Pancakes in the County’. As reported by Deadline, Nicolas Cage is starring in the project alongside Justin Long, who starred in Barbarian, and Shelley Hennig, known for Unfriended and Ouija. The new movie 'Best Pancakes in the County’ is "set over the course of one night at a small-town diner that becomes the epicenter of a deadly standoff involving rogue federal agents, a fast-talking con man with a dangerous past (Cage), and a waitress (Hennig) harboring secrets of her own. As loyalties blur and tensions erupt, survival depends on who can outthink – and outgun – everyone else." It’s being written and directed by Ken Sanzel, known for Kill Chain.
The film is backed by Caliwood’s John D. Straley, Audra Gricius, Jina Panebianco, Lance Kawas, Ahmed S. Boomrod, and Eugene Pruss, alongside Fortitude International’s Nadine de Barros as executive producers. As the filming is taking place in Arkansas, the producing team opened up on Cage's inclusion and more, “We’re thrilled to reunite with the iconic Cage, guided by the visionary Ken Sanzel. This action-packed, fast-paced adventure with wit and intensity is set to captivate audiences worldwide.” It’s most likely to be released this year as filming is already underway.
Following acclaim from Longlegs, Nicolas Cage went on to star in projects such as Gunslingers and The Carpenter's Son. Both these films underperformed at the box office. However, the trailer for his upcoming biographical sports film Madden was recently released. He kept fans on their toes as they couldn’t wait to see him add his own touch to playing the role of a noted football coach and commentator, John Madden. The National Treasure star is also set to dive into the TV realm with his involvement in Spider-Noir, an upcoming American noir superhero series. This project took off after he notably voiced a version of the character in Sony's animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse franchise, marking his return to television after a 45-year hiatus. He made his acting debut in 1981 on The Best of Times, a series that never got picked up beyond its pilot.
Some of Cage's other projects, apart from ‘Best Pancakes in the County’, also include the American drama film ‘The Prince’ and the British historical spy action-adventure series ‘Fortitude’. Both these films are currently in post-production. Taken together, these projects reflect Cage’s continued appetite for challenging material and genre exploration. At a stage where many peers slow down, he continues to accelerate while balancing mainstream appeal with creative risks.
