Key Takeaways:
– Remarkably, Nicolas Cage wasn’t paid for his Oscar-winning role in 1995’s ‘Leaving Las Vegas.’
– Despite the movie grossing $32 million, production company Lumière Pictures claimed it wasn’t profitable.
– Notwithstanding, Cage and director Mike Figgis prospered afterwards in their respective careers.
– Lumière Pictures, defunct since 1996, is yet to issue a comment on the matter.
Introducing the Backstory
It’s been almost thirty years since Nicolas Cage’s monumental performance in ‘Leaving Las Vegas.’ Recently, allegations have surfaced suggesting that Cage, contrary to expectations, wasn’t paid for this role that earned him an Academy Award. According to Cage, this claim is “probably true.” This surprising revelation prompts a second look at an important episode of Hollywood history.
Piecing Together the Puzzle
In a recent episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘It Happened in Hollywood’ podcast, director Mike Figgis broke the silence. He claimed that neither he nor Cage received the $100,000 they were promised by Lumière Pictures, responsible for financing the film. Lumière’s justification for this astonishing omission was that the film wasn’t profitable- a claim somewhat at odds with the $32 million it reportedly made in domestic box office sales alone.
No Payment, No Problem for Cage
Cage, while corroborating Figgis’s account, appeared unfazed by the situation, attesting to his passion for the project acting as sufficient compensation. In a conversation with Business Insider at SXSW, the actor characterized his participation in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ as a labor of love, indicating that he was committed to making the film regardless of monetary remuneration.
“As for the missing paycheck,” he told reporters, “I haven’t given it much thought. The experience and the resulting movie were priceless to me.”
The Fallout: Who Owned Lumière Pictures?
Lumière Pictures was bought by French company UGC in 1996, which subsequently fell under Canal+ Group ownership later in the year. Canal+ representatives are yet to address these allegations publicly. Although MGM and United Artists distributed ‘Leaving Las Vegas,’ it is currently available for streaming on Max and Hulu.
The Accolades and Aftermath
Notwithstanding the payment controversy, ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ propelled both Cage and Figgis to greater heights in their careers. Cage’s performance as Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic screenwriter, earned him a Best Actor Oscar. Figgis, for his part, received nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
After ‘Leaving Las Vegas,’ their careers skyrocketed, with Cage making $20 million per film within a year, and Figgis, too, reported being “really well paid” for his subsequent films.
Looking to the Future
Despite past financial pitfalls, Cage managed to make an impressive comeback with roles in critically acclaimed films such as ‘Mandy,’ ‘Pig,’ and ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.’ Nevertheless, the actor recently expressed hesitation about returning to comic book movies, stating, “I appreciate the genre, but it’s not really on my mind.”
To conclude, the revelation that Cage and Figgis were not paid for their work on ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ offers a stark commentary on Hollywood practices and compensation structures. Yet, their subsequent success suggests resilience and a love for their craft that transcends financial gain.
