He also bought a series of more bizarre items, including a nine-foot-tall burial tomb, an octopus, shrunken pygmy heads, a $150,000 Superman comic and a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skull, which he later had to return to the Mongolian government. Just confirm how you got your ticket. It makes you wonder how much money the actor makes in every movie. The project was announced in October 2019, with screenwriter Parsons having conceived the idea based on his 2016 short film Wally's Wonderland, which was also the script's original name. Compare this performance with other movies. That's how miraculously this happened. I wanted to love Willy's Wonderland. There are lots of little nods to games throughout Willy's Wonderlandtoo; the opening credits are 8-bit, and Cage's regularly consumed cans of Punch Soda act like powerups. If we can't get it done in that time, the movie ain't going to happen. The film was first announced in October 2019 by Screen Media Films after screenwriter and producer G. O. Parsons was advised to create a film to expand his career around 2015 to early 2016, but was displeased with his first attempt, a short film titled Wally's Wonderland. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey. They didnt work, all of them. How an unknown actor and a luckless director teamed with Nicolas Cage to create 2021's first cult movie. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. 3. There's nothing here but the novelty, but here's why it works. There's eight of them. As stated above, Nicolas Cage had a spending problem. Cage starred in the 2021 horror-action-comedy movie as The Janitor, an unnamed and silent drifter who finds himself stranded in a small Nevada town, where he is hired to clean up an abandoned family entertainment zone. Nicolas Cage doesn't speak in Willy's Wonderland. However, Willy's Wonderland could have used more drafts and variety to really tap into the sheer gonzo potential of its ridiculous pitch. Is a film in which Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage battles a series of giant animatronic creatures just the thing to raise spirits as we head into the second year of the pandemic? The houses and cars werent the only things Nicolas Cage bought, there was some weird stuff too. In the restaurant, the Janitor subdues Sara, and twists Cammy's head, killing her. But I never phoned it in. Nowadays, he appears in a lot more films and for half of that salary at most. [29] In February 2021, it was announced that a sequel was being actively discussed.[30]. If I don't end up praising the film for anything else, that's okay. Don't miss: Highest-ever Amex Gold Card welcome bonus is worth up to $600 in gift cards. Parsons (whose screenplay Cage reportedly found on "the Blood List" of well-regarded un-produced horror scripts), "Willy's Wonderland" has been. Meanwhile, teenager Liv Hawthorne gets handcuffed by her parental guardian, Hayesville's sheriff Eloise Lund, due to her previous attempts to burn the building. It's known that he drives a nice car, consumes a lot of energy drinks, is a miracle worker of a cleaner, and is apparently unbothered by the existence of murderous animatronics. Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Well, he started the spree around 2004 with a property on Paradise Island in the Bahamas and then bought himself a private island in the same archipelago for $3 million. But I never phoned it in. Related:Willy's Wonderland: How To Watch Nic Cage's Five Nights At Freddy's Clone. Whether he was throwing vampires into wood chippers or driving Ford Mustangs off cliffs, Nic was always the hardest working man in the grindhouse. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate. For the opening 30 minutes or so, after driving into a scary Nebraska town, he just stands around while stuff happens somewhere nearby. It was all hands on deck, everybody go-go-go during the holidays find the sets, find the crew, build the animatronics, storyboard the entire movie, and get everything ready to go before February 1. Even at a young age, he longed for more. This is unbelievable, this would never happen. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. While Tex and Jed discuss planning to re-open Willy's Wonderland, Sara suddenly appears and sets their car on fire with gasoline. but other than that there is no issues, and I got exactly what I paid for. Kevin and I come from similar backgrounds where we both felt like we hadn't been given our due yet. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), In order to dig himself out of the hole, Cage proceeded to make a series of small-budget independent movies over the last decade that he used to pay off his debts and avoid bankruptcy. Lewis: I was really struggling with that. When I was doing four movies a year, back to back to back, I still had to find something in them to be able to give it my all, Cage said. The character has a few quirks, like his surprisingly ironclad work ethic, but the character is just as underwritten, absent personality, and replaceable as any of the killer robots. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences speak, and they've spoken, and they dig it, and it's awesome.". Willy's Wonderland was scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on October 30, 2020, but was removed from the calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing the closure of theaters across the globe. "I would take the bus to school, and some of the older boys were going to school in Maseratis and Ferraris," he tells the Times. ", His final conclusion: "What is the grail but Earth itself? Coming Soon, Regal The crew was applauding him at the end. Horror, The story also shows the re-opening of Willy's Wonderland after the deaths of Jerry and his colleagues by Tex and Jed despite protests from the public and the Sheriff. I'll credit the creature designs of the many killer animatronic animals inhabited by the spirits of a dead Satanic cult demanding sacrifice. The next morning, Tex and Jed return to the building and find it completely clean, with the animatronics missing. On top of the housing, his ex-financial manager, Samuel Levin, said that Cage owned 22 cars. ", "All the horror fans are digging it," director Kevin Lewis told EW of the film, which costars Emily Tosta and Beth Grant. He bought the German castle Schloss Neidstein in 2006 and Midford Castle in England in 2007. and on VOD. In an interview with GQ magazine, Cage confirmed that he officially finished paying off all his debts a year and a half ago. It was just incredible. It's no surprise that Nicolas Cage has fully leant into the Cage Rage meme over recent years, whether it's tackling demon bikers in . . My wife pitched a team-up where he and Willy have to fight a new foe together. Photo Credit: Karen Ballard/Lionsgate. Other roles included "Willy's Wonderland," a film where Cage hunts down animatronic monsters without saying a single word in the film. Some of those properties ended up in foreclosure though, including the famous New Orleans LaLaurie House that he had bought in 2007. Growing up outside of Beverly Hills with his professor father, he lived modestly. I'm doing a lot better. In this exclusive trailer for Willy's Wonderland, Nicolas Cage's drifter character doesn't even muster . Willy's Wonderland is an old arcade/birthday party place that has been closed down, due to the fact that the mechanical robots inside all come to life and murder people. It opens with a very drab look and Nicolas Cage is revealed as the stoic cool guy (which is done incredibly over the top). Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue KEVIN LEWIS: I hadn't directed a movie in a while. I was caring., Tiffany Haddish (Vivian, left) snaps a selfie with Nicolas Cage (Nick Cage, right) while undercover at the airport in THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT. As Cammy stalks him in an arcade, Chris calls Lund for help; she goes with deputy sheriff Evan Olson upon learning that Liv is there. [24], Kimberley Elizabeth from Nightmare on Film Street gave the film a score of 7.5/10, commenting: "Nicolas Cage['s] unique brand of kickassery is the jelly to this animatronic PB & J Horror sandwich". Mystery & thriller. Coming Soon. A quiet loner finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. He was taking every acting role he could in order to get out of debt. All rights reserved. , Cage confirmed that he officially finished paying off all his debts a year and a half ago. Was it here? He purchased shrunken pigmy heads, an octopus, the Lamborghini that was owned by the late Shah of Iran, and a dinosaur skull. The mundane tasks suddenly become an all-out fight for survival against wave after wave of demonic animatronics. If we can't get it done in that time, the movie ain't going to happen. It was funny because I said, "I only have time to do probably two-to-three takes, Nic." Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willys Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. The release of the film follows a traumatic period for Lewis who was recently diagnosed with COVID. For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. SUMMARY. 1," the first-ever comic to feature Superman, which he picked up for $150,000. The Janitor in Willy's Wonderlandis a mysterious character who the audience gets to know very little about. He reportedly paid $2.6 million for the pied-a-terre, which dates back to the 16th century. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, 10 Black Women Filmmakers Who Have Shaped the Cinema Landscape of the 21st Century, 10 LGBTQIA+ Women Who Became Trailblazers in Entertainment. Regal [15], On June 25, 2021, Parsons confirmed that American Mythology Productions would release a comic book series serving as a prequel to the film.[16]. The LaLaurie House is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America because the original owner of the home was a serial killer in the 1800s. "You can't take it seriously," screenwriter G.O. See production, box office & company info, AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Kamping Kalamity. While her friends douse the perimeter with gasoline, Liv enters the restaurant through the vents to get the Janitor out. While the Janitor cleans the kitchen, Liv explains that Willy's Wonderland was originally owned by Jerry Robert Willis, a notorious serial killer. Fists fly, kicks land, titans clash -- and only one side will make it out ali Read allA quiet drifter is tricked into a janitorial job at the now condemned Willy's Wonderland. Photo Credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate, RELATED: Nicolas Cage To Play Dracula In Comedic Adaptation Renfield From Universal Pictures. Some of the roles that Cage took over the years include the critically acclaimed film Mandy, a film that featured Cage as a man looking for vengeance against a demonic hippie cult who murdered his girlfriend. A. fter a long road of struggle the actor has officially paid off his debts and is moving forward with his career but he has no plans to leave the indie scene. What else do you need? Since 2006, Nicolas Cage has appeared in an average of four movies per year. They team up in their satanic pact to kill everyone. Disclosure Information: Some of the organizations with products on our site may pay us a referral fee or affiliate commission when you click to apply for those products. THAT is the sort of movie you're watching. Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles. He'd beat Gus and after he beat Gus, he'd go and play pinball. PARSONS: I was writing and acting in a bunch of plays, trying to make a break for myself. When the Janitor and Liv arrive at the arcade, Cammy snaps Chris' neck, killing him. Parsons: When I originally wrote the script, I put in one line, which was "Come at me, bro." From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Watch the below video to find out more about Cages spending spree and some of those big-ticket purchases. Meanwhile, the Janitor is attacked by Gus in the restrooms; he kills him by curb stomping his face into a urinal. Its first issue was released in October 2021. Parsons: The reaction is over the moon. But this wonderland has a dark secret that the The Janitor is about to discover. Parsons: Nic added that dance at the end. When I was doing four movies a year, back to back to back, I still had to find something in them to be able to give it my all, Cage said. Quotes Liv: He's not trapped in there with them. They didnt work, all of them. His facial expressions and the fact that he just really loves soda is enough to know that he means business and has no fear. "[28], In an interview, G. O. Parsons stated he had an idea for a sequel if the film got enough support. You're not going to go into dire straits buying an octopus," he told the New York Times during a recent interview. It was a life-changing experience for sure. Judging by the online reaction to the new action-horror movie Willy's Wonderland since the film was released on VOD over the weekend, the answer is a definite "Yes! Get some good popcorn in, and something to drink and enjoy! We were able to trade them all in for the ultimate prize: Willy's Wonderland, a movie in which a totally non-verbal Nicolas Cage beats the literal stuffing out of evil animatronics while spending a single night in a haunted family play center of Tartarus-like ball pits and flashy pinball machines. [6] Prior to its release, the film received a small cult following due to sharing its premise with the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise.[6]. NEXT: Nicolas Cage Weighs In On Alec Baldwin Rust Shooting: Actors Need To Know How To Use A Gun And Know What The Procedure Is. He starred in 2018's Mandy and 2020's Color Out of Space. It's not too often that one has to wonder just who's in the most trouble, the person that is being given to the monsters, or the monsters. To survive, he must fight his way through each of them. If somebody is nice enough to say nice words, or talk about the movie, then I put them officially on staff, because you want to be the Janitor and you want to be part of the experience. . You've got Willy and his gang. For those looking for the splendidly crazy moments that can define Nicolas Cage performances, I think you'll be slightly disappointed. As the sun rises, the Janitor and Liv drive out of the town, running into and killing a wandering Tito along the way. [17][18], On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 60% based on 89 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. [11] Certain changes were made during production; the title was changed from Wally's Wonderland to Willy's Wonderland due to legal issues; and original animatronic characters Douglas Dog, Pauly Penguin, Beary Bear, Pirate Pete, and Regina Rabbit were replaced with Arty Alligator, Tito Turtle, Gus Gorilla, Knighty Knight, and Cammy Chameleon, respectively. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com. Youre not going to get bonded. What does the mechanic have in his mouth all the time? Like most horror films, the whole town is in on the scheme to keep Cage captive in Willy's Wonderland, but they may soon find out that the man they let in is much more dangerous that what was inside already. Toppling one robot after another feels too easy and the specific set pieces are unmemorable. After the killings, the Sheriff, Deputy Lund, and a mob head to Willy's Wonderland with intent to destroy the animatronics. The movie didn't receive the fanfare it deserved and . Willy's Wonderland is a 2021 American action comedy horror film directed by Kevin Lewis from a screenplay by G. O. And he goes, "Well, Kevin, I like to do it in one!" Alongside the rights to use a bit of Freebird in the closing scene, his fee was, surely, the only significant expense in the budget. But after a series of financial downfalls following the death of his father caused him to lose his $150 million fortune and owe millions in back payment for property taxes, the one time King had hit hard times. For me it was all about where was the grail? He and Willy are staring at each other, he goes, "Come at me, bro.". He is depicted as a zookeeper who is socially impaired. Cage went through a period where all I he was "doing was meditating three times a day and reading books on philosophy" and found himself seeking out the places he had studied and read about. [27] Nicols Delgadillo of DiscussingFilm.net called the film "unapologetically ridiculous" and "a bizarre hidden gem thrown into Cage's already vast and eclectic body of work. Nicolas Cage makes anywhere from $1 million to $12 million USD per movie depending on his role. That I was just doing it and not caring. A quiet loner (Nicolas Cage) finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the spelling ofNicolas Cage's name. I was like, okay, that'll be it, this guy who has to go clean this place up and these things attack him, but the twist of it should be, they messed with the wrong person. "[23] Anton Bitel from VODzilla.com awarded the film a score of seven out of ten, saying: "It is set in an amusement centre for children, but comes with adult doses of foul-mouthed language, sex, gore and death. You could do a John Carpenter-Assault on Precinct 13 where like maybe the Janitor gets caught in jail and the electronics are coming for him and it's a big fight in a jail. Cage squandered it on a string of expensive and often eccentric. Read audience reviews. 1d ago . Theyre not going to work with you, he added. Like 1973's original, a British folk horror that remains a defining text of the sub-genre, 2006's iteration of The Wicker Man sees Cage's hero visit a remote island where the local Neo-pagans are up to something strange and he fall's victim to their creepy machinations. Actor Nicolas Cage was once a top earner in Hollywood, worth around $150 million, but he didn't hold onto the fortune for long. As I laid there, I pictured my table. Even when hes on the Oscar trail he doesnt forget Dublin, I was violent and angry. In order to pay off his debts, he has been taking almost every role offered to him and filming five to eight movies a year. 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