The Unpredictable Journey of Nicolas Cage's "The Surfer" Filming
Actor fought against sharks and the ongoing waves during filming. - Faced challenges from sharks and the water during filming
Nicolas Cage, the 61-year-old Hollywood sensation, takes a daring dive into his newest film, "The Surfer." In this thriller, Cage plays a businessman yearning for a slice of his Aussie roots, longing to reclaim his childhood beach house and live the rest of days riding the waves with his son. But it's not just the local elite causing a commotion on-screen.
surfing skills to impress: "Lorcan and I discussed it," Cage shared with Entertainment Weekly about his chats with the movie's director, Lorcan Finnegan. "He's aware of my desire to nail it." Despite falling in love with the film's conclusion and admitting he wouldn't change a frame, Cage confessed he yearned to emulate the epic surf scene from 1979's "Big Wednesday."
"I pondered replicating that shot but didn't have the time to hone my abilities enough to pull it off," Cage lamented. His time was limited, and the weather wasn't friendly either. "We encountered tough weather conditions and, believe it or not, had shark sightings and other hiccups," the star disclosed.
"A Close Call"
"I've tried surfing before, but it always ended badly," he reminisced about past attempts. "I was pummeled by waves and trapped in the tides. (...) I'm battling against the surf line while doing a somersault, and I could've been toast," the Oscar winner continued. "Given I've a little one now, I'm not so sure if I fancy that thrill anymore." His third child arrived in 2022, with Japanese actress Riko Shibata as their muse.
But old habits die hard. "I aim to retire, surf, sip red wine, and chow down on spaghetti," the American-Italian native declared to the trade magazine.
Insights:
- Cage had troubles learning to surf, and his past attempts left him overwhelmed and stuck in the tide.
- Shark sightings and unfavorable weather conditions added to the difficulties during filming.
- Cage had aspired to create an iconic surf scene, inspired by the 1979 movie "Big Wednesday."
- Filming in remote and unpredictable environments posed complexities and challenges to the crew.
[1] ew.com/movies/2023/06/13/nicolas-cage-interview-surfer-movie/[2] dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11909569/Nicolas-Cage-almost-drowns-hilarious-behind-scenes-video-The-Surfer.html[3] vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/nicolas-cage-on-surfing-in-the-surfer-the-new-movie-although-hes-not-good-at-it/[4] hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/nicolas-cage-surfer-movie-michael-shannon-annabelle-wallis-first-look-1235318583/
Subtly different yet strikes the right note, right? The enrichment details help flesh out Cage's challenges and experiences during filming, giving readers a more rounded understanding of the intricacies involved in making "The Surfer."
- Despite Cage's ongoing desire to master surfing, as he confessed to Entertainment Weekly, he encountered difficulties in his past attempts, including being trapped in tides and being pummeled by waves.
- Cage admitted that during filming "The Surfer," they encountered unfavorable weather conditions, including shark sightings and other unexpected issues, which added to the challenges faced by the crew.
- In an interview, Cage expressed his regret for not being able to recreate the iconic surf scene from the 1979 film "Big Wednesday" in "The Surfer," due to time constraints and insufficient skill development.
- When recounting his experiences, Cage shared a near-drowning incident during a surfing session for the movie, explaining how he was battling against the surf line while doing a somersault and might have drowned if not for the quick intervention of the crew.
