• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Nicolas Cage never received any money for Oscar-winning role

Home> Film & TV

Published 14:45 5 Oct 2022 GMT+1

Nicolas Cage never received any money for Oscar-winning role

The actor lost out on a heap of cash

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

In recent years, Nicolas Cage has become something of a cult figure.

The bizarre characters he creates in some of the strangest movies around are something to behold.

You only have to look back at 1997's hit blockbuster Face/Off or his most recent release The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent, which saw him play a warped version of himself, to get an idea of what I mean.

But while Cage's army of fans love his off-the-wall approach, it was his 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas that revitalised his career and actually saw him nominated for an Oscar.

Advert

The hit movie, which was based on a cult novel by John O’Brien, was directed by Mike Figgis, and saw Cage play Ben Sanderson.

Nicolas Cage won an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas.
Lumiere Pictures

Down on his luck, the screenwriter heads to Las Vegas, planning to use all of his severance package from the job he has just been fired from to drink himself into oblivion.

But his plan takes a turn when he meets sex worker Sera (Elizabeth Shue).

Advert

The film was met with critical acclaim, and Cage won an Oscar for his performance.

But while it did wonders for his career, Cage never received the $100,000 he was promised to star in the film. And speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Figgis said he neither did he.

"They said the film never went into profit," he said, referring to production company Lumiere Pictures.

This is despite the film being made for $4 million and reportedly taking in $32 million worldwide.

Advert

Cage lost out on $100,000 for Leaving Las Vegas.
Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo

Figgis added: "Whatever. I mean, my career then took off again, and the next film I did, I got really well paid.

"And within a year [Nic] was earning $20 million a film, so that was quite good."

So I guess they both did pretty well out of it, even if they were short-changed a little.

Advert

The film set Cage on a course to star in some of the most memorable films of the past 20 years, including USS Indianapolis: Men Of Courage, which told the story of one of the most gruesome shark attacks ever.

The 2016 film is based on the story of the USS Indianapolis, the US Navy heavy cruiser that was torpedoed while on a secret mission.

You may remember the USS Indianapolis as having been mentioned in Robert Shaw's iconic speech in Jaws.

If you've seen neither if those films, I suggest you sort that out now.

Advert

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected] 

Featured Image Credit: Cinematic Collection/Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Nicolas Cage, US News, Film and TV, Entertainment

Dominic Smithers
Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is the News/Agenda Desk Lead, covering the latest trends and breaking stories. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

X

@SmithersDom

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
19 hours ago
  • 3 hours ago

    Netflix adds ‘must-see’ $411 million action movie labeled ‘irresistible fun’

    'Epic in every proportion'

    Film & TV
  • 11 hours ago

    Netflix just added a 'masterpiece' movie praised as 'hands down one of the most accurate' films of its kind

    The movie was first released in 2004, but remains a firm favorite among fans

    Film & TV
  • 12 hours ago

    Chadwick Boseman's widow issues warning to young people as subtle signs for colon cancer are revealed

    "We who have this knowledge have an obligation to inform our fellow man."

    Film & TV
  • 19 hours ago

    Netflix is removing '10/10' series that's been watched for 92,300,000 hours

    Fans are gutted to see it go

    Film & TV
  • Miles Teller was paid just $8,000 for lead role in an Oscar-winning movie
  • Nicolas Cage Goes On Unexpected Rant Over His Love For Shortbread
  • Nicolas Cage is set to make Hollywood comeback with sequels for two of his best movies
  • First look at Nicolas Cage as Dracula in gruesome AF trailer for Renfield