Nicolas Cage Questions Payment for His Award-Winning Role in ‘Leaving Las Vegas’

Nicolas Cage Thinks He Probably Was Not Paid for an Oscar Winning Role

Nicolas Cage. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Nicolas Cage was uncertain if he received payment for his role in Leaving Las Vegas. At the SXSW Film & TV Festival on Monday, March 11, the 60-year-old actor confessed that it was likely true that he didn't get a check for the film. Despite this, Cage appeared unfazed by the revelation.

"I didn't really think about it. I just knew I had to play that role," Cage shared with Business Insider. He was confident that working on the movie would be a valuable experience, regardless of the pay.

In the 1995 film directed by Mike Figgis, Cage portrayed a character struggling with alcoholism and suicidal thoughts who relocates from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. At the time, Cage was facing a career setback. However, the release of Leaving Las Vegas was met with critical acclaim, leading to Cage winning Best Actor at prestigious award ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. This success propelled Cage into stardom, securing him roles in popular films like The Rock and Face/Off.

In October 2022, Figgis, who is 76 years old, made an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter's "It Happened In Hollywood" podcast. He mentioned that he never got paid the $100,000 fee for his contributions to the project, even though he received an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.

During a conversation with the studio behind the project, Lumiere Pictures, Figgis was informed that the film did not make a profit. This led to him not receiving the payment he was expecting.

Nicolas Cage Thinks He Probably Was Not Paid for an Oscar Winning Role

Matthew McConaughey, Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage and Brendan Fraser pose with Cillian Murphy winner of the Oscar for Best Actor. Robyn BECK / AF

Figgis decided to use handheld 16mm cameras for the movie because of its low budget. He filmed in the streets of Las Vegas in one take. Leaving Las Vegas grossed $32 million worldwide at the box office, according to Box Office Mojo.

Even though Figgis claimed to not have been paid for his work, he mentioned that everything turned out well for him and Cage as they both went on to bigger projects.

Figgis shared that his career started to soar once more, and he received a generous payment for his next film. He mentioned that within a year, Cage was making $20 million per film, which was a significant achievement for him.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, Cage, who has won an Oscar, has openly discussed the possibility of retiring in the future.

In a December 2023 interview with Uproxx, the director expressed his feelings about his career. He mentioned that after 45 years in the industry, he believes he has already conveyed his message through cinema. He stated that he would like to end his career on a positive note and bid farewell. The director shared his goal of making three or four more movies before transitioning to a different form of artistic expression.

Editor's P/S:

Nicolas Cage's revelation that he may not have received payment for his iconic role in "Leaving Las Vegas" is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft. Despite the financial uncertainty, Cage recognized the artistic value of the project and embraced it wholeheartedly. His dedication paid off, as the film's critical and commercial success propelled him to stardom.

The revelation also sheds light on the complexities of the film industry, where financial rewards are not always commensurate with creative contributions. Director Mike Figgis' experience of not receiving his $100,000 fee underscores the challenges faced by filmmakers, particularly those working on low-budget projects. Despite the monetary setbacks, both Cage and Figgis persevered and went on to achieve great success, demonstrating that artistic integrity and perseverance can ultimately triumph over financial constraints. artistic integrity in a commercial environment. The stories of Cage and Figgis serve as reminders of the sacrifices and uncertainties that artists often encounter in their pursuit of creative expression.