Up next for Nicolas Cage is a role in A24’s “Dream Scenario.” The film is directed by Kristoffer Borgli, who helmed last year’s Cannes gem “Sick of Myself.” It has just been announced as a TIFF world premiere.
We also have a first image, courtesy of A24, showing Cage in heavy makeup, looking heavier than usual, and standing in front of a truck that’s been graffiti’ed with the word “LOSER.”
In “Dream Scenario” Cage plays a schlubby professor who becomes an overnight celebrity after appearing in everyone's dream. Sign me up. Absolutely intrigued by this one.
The film test screened on June 7 and the reactions were very good. It sounds like A24 has a winner, and, more importantly, Cage delivers another note-worthy performance.
A dreamy psychological dark comedy that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying (one involving him terrifying his daughter is bound to become one of his most memorable images). Very much at home for an A24 vibe and I wouldn’t be surprised if Cage garnered some awards attention for it. Feels like something Michael Gondry meets Yorgos Lanthimos would create. Cage confronting cancel culture might be the selling point for this one! He is amazing. Funny and engaging and totally bonkers when it calls for it. It’s very reminiscent of Colin Farrell in The Lobster. He even gets to wear the David Byrne suit from “Stop Making Sense” at one point.
Cage stars alongside Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Kate Berlant, Dylan Baker and Dylan Gelula. Ari Aster is also listed as producer.
Of course, Cage being Cage, the actor has five films that might get released this year. I don’t know how he does it. I’m counting “Dream Scenario,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “The Retirement Plan,” “Arcadian” and “Longlegs.”
As mentioned, Borgli turned some heads last year when he premiered at Cannes “Sick of Myself” in the Un Certain Regard section. I wasn’t fully on-board its shock-factor style of comedy, but Borgli is a risk-taker and seems a good fit for this film.
Paul Greengrass’ "The Uprising," starring Andrew Garfield, opened to $3.2M from 2,068 theaters this weekend. Yikes. The budget hasn’t been disclosed, but is said to be in the $20-$30M range.