What new is there to say about Nicolas Cage at this point in his career? As an actor, he’s a chaotic force, indulgent in a way that deserves an adjective all its own: Cage-ian. However, he’s also a prolific workhorse, dedicated to his craft in ways other actors aren’t. He seemingly never turns down a script, no matter how ludicrous its premise. Is it genius? Insanity? Only one thing is for certain: it’s Nicolas Cage.
Herein lies the gambit of his latest feature, “The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent.” What could be the greatest challenge of Nic Cage’s entire career? The answer is almost too obvious: Cage’s role of a lifetime is exactly that—himself. In the new film, Cage stars as a fictional version of himself who, strapped for cash, goes undercover for the CIA to a drug lord’s birthday party. Will Cage put on the performance of his life, or will he crack under pressure?
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.
“Massive Talent” also stars Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, Sharon Horgan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Lily Sheen. Jacob Scipio, Paco León, Alessandra Mastronardi, and Joanna Bobin round out the main cast.
So, will Cage be up to the ultimate challenge in meta-filmmaking? Find out when “The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent” has its world premiere at SXSW on March 12. The film then hits theaters everywhere on April 22, courtesy of Lionsgate. Watch the new trailer below.
