Nicolas Cage Faces High-Stakes Diner Showdown in New Thriller
Nicolas Cage leads the action-packed thriller 'Best Pancakes in the County,' set in a small-town diner where secrets and danger simmer. Filming is underway in Arkansas, with Shelley Hennig and Justin Long joining the cast.
If you reckon you’ve seen Nicolas Cage in every wild scenario possible, think again. The Oscar winner is back at it, this time front and centre in 'Best Pancakes in the County'—an action-packed yarn set in a humble diner where things go from zero to chaos in no time. Cage takes on the role of a quick-witted con man who finds himself caught up in a deadly standoff, and it’s safe to say the pancakes aren’t the only thing heating up in this joint.
The story unfolds over a single night, with the diner turning into a pressure cooker as rogue federal agents, a slippery bloke with a chequered past, and a waitress with her own secrets all collide. As the night wears on, lines blur and tempers flare, leaving everyone scrambling to stay one step ahead. In this place, the so-called 'best pancakes in the county' are the least of anyone’s worries. Shelley Hennig, known for her role in 'Ouija', steps in as the waitress, while Justin Long, fresh from 'Barbarian', is also on board, though his part is still under wraps. Filming is already underway in Arkansas, giving the story a proper small-town feel that could easily translate to the big screen.
Behind the Scenes: Cast and Crew
The film is penned and directed by Ken Sanzel, who’s been described by the production team as a 'visionary' at the helm. The producing line-up features Raja Collins, Eduard Osipov from Beno Films, Eric Brenner, and Niko Fomenko and R. Wesley Sierk III of Caliwood Pictures. There’s also a hefty list of executive producers, including John D. Straley, Audra Gricius, Jina Panebianco, Lance Kawas, Ahmed S. Boomrod, Eugene Pruss, and Nadine de Barros from Fortitude International. The team shared their excitement, saying,
“We’re thrilled to reunite with the iconic Cage, guided by the visionary Ken Sanzel. This action-packed, fast-paced adventure with wit and intensity is set to captivate audiences worldwide.”
Fortitude International is handling global sales, and the film is expected to make an appearance at the European Film Market next month. With production already rolling, more details are likely to surface soon.
Director’s Track Record and Cage’s Comeback
Ken Sanzel has a solid background in crime dramas and action flicks, having worked on telly hits like 'Numb3rs', 'NYC 22', and 'Blue Bloods'. He’s also directed features such as 'Blunt Force Trauma' and 'Kill Chain', the latter starring Cage as a mercenary-turned-hotel owner. This new project marks the second time Sanzel and Cage have teamed up, coming at a time when Cage is enjoying a bit of a career renaissance. After a run of less-than-stellar projects, he’s bounced back with a string of acclaimed indie films and successful studio releases.
With a cast that’s keen and a director with a knack for tension, 'Best Pancakes in the County' is shaping up to be a wild ride. The Arkansas setting adds a layer of authenticity, and with production in full swing, punters won’t have to wait long to see how this diner drama stacks up.