Star Nicolas Cage shares a Face/Off 2 update, confirming he has been in talks with producer Neal H. Moritz and believes his return likely. The 1997 action thriller starred Cage in the dual role of Sean Archer and Castor Troy, the latter of whom is an FBI agent hunting down the latter sociopath in revenge for murdering his son while trying to kill Sean. Upon learning of a nuclear bomb located in downtown Los Angeles placed by Castor, Sean undergoes an experimental treatment to swap faces with Castor and go undercover as his rival, though when the killer awakes from his coma and forces the doctors to transplant Sean’s face on to his, Sean must race against time to stop the bomb and Castor from ruining his life.
Alongside Cage, the cast for Face/Off was led by John Travolta as Sean/Castor with Joan Allen also starring with Alessandro Nivola, Gina Gershon, Dominique Swain, Nick Cassavetes, Colm Feore, John Carroll Lynch, CCH Pounder and Thomas Jane. Helmed by action vet John Woo on a script from Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, the film received rave reviews from critics upon its release, namely for Cage and Travolta’s committed dual performances and the over-the-top action sequences Woo has become known for. Face/Off also was a box office hit, grossing over $245 million worldwide against its $80 million budget, becoming the 11th highest-grossing film of the year.
While speaking with ComicBook.com for his acclaimed meta comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Nicolas Cage offered a Face/Off 2 update. The actor revealed that he has been in talks with the producing team behind the upcoming sequel, namely Neal H. Moritz, and believes his return for the new film is likely. See what Cage shared below:
“There have been some phone calls with Neal [Moritz], who I enjoyed very much working with on the first Face/Off. He’s one of the true great producers in Hollywood, and they have been making some calls. The other ones like National Treasure, their priority was a TV show and godspeed to them, but maybe Face/Off.”
Development on a new Face/Off was initially met with some skepticism upon its original announcement that Paramount was planning to remake the action-thriller with a brand new cast. Audience favor has turned in the years since when Godzilla vs. Kong‘s Adam Wingard signed on to direct and write with his creative partner Simon Barrett and was planning to make the film as a sequel to the original in favor of a remake. Despite the confirmation of a sequel, many have found themselves wondering if both leads will return for Face/Off 2, namely as Cage’s Castor was ultimately killed at the end of the original and Sean’s face returned to him.
Cage’s Face/Off 2 update comes as the most hopeful for his return amongst his recent discussions regarding the action-thriller sequel. Cage previously stated he hadn’t heard any word on the development of the film while promoting The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, though recently confirmed he would be opened to returning if given the opportunity, and now with talks occurring between he and the producers behind it, the door seems wide open for more face-swapping action. In the meantime, audiences can see Cage’s latest with The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent now in theaters.
