Nicolas Cage Prioritizes ‘Lords of War’ Over ‘Face/Off,’ the More Exciting Crime Sequel

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Nicolas Cage has experienced one of the most impressive career turnarounds in Hollywood history. After a period of appearing in lower-budget films and a decline in public interest in the 2000s, his unforgettable performance in the 2018 film Mandy reminded audiences of his talent and attracted a new fanbase. Since then, Cage has consistently starred in acclaimed projects, including the cult horror film Color Out of Space (2019) and the critically praised comedy Dream Scenario (2023).

Given Nicolas Cage’s recent career comeback and Hollywood’s tendency to revive popular franchises, it’s no surprise he’s involved in some projects that play on fans’ fond memories. While the upcoming sequel to Lord of War is welcome news, many have also been hoping for a follow-up to Face/Off. Considering Face/Off is a well-loved action classic, it seems Cage might be focusing on the wrong film.

Nicolas Cage is Working on a Sequel to ‘Lord of War’


Lions Gate Films

Fans recently got a first glimpse of Lords of War, the sequel to the 2005 film Lord of War. The new movie brings back director Andrew Niccol and adds Bill Skarsgård to the cast as Anton Orlov, the son of Nicolas Cage’s character, Yuri. The original film chronicled Yuri Orlov’s 20-year journey as he became a worldwide arms dealer, starting in the 1980s, and the ending left the door open for a continuation of the story.

While Lord of War didn’t become a blockbuster when it came out – it earned $72.6 million with a $50 million budget (according to Box Office Mojo) – it wasn’t a complete failure either. Critics gave it a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences enjoyed it more, giving it an 84% score. This might have delayed plans for a sequel, but considering Nicolas Cage’s ongoing popularity and fans’ fondness for his memorable performances, it’s understandable why the filmmakers are revisiting the story of Yuri.

The story introduces an interesting new conflict for Yuri – a rivalry with his own son – and the movie appears to have the resources and updated style to potentially be a success. However, fans hoping to see Nicolas Cage return to Face/Off might be a little let down to learn he’s finishing this film first.

‘Face/Off’ is an Action Classic Deserving a Sequel Over ‘Lord of War’


Paramount Pictures 

Certain 90s action movies, like Air Force One, The Rock, Bad Boys, and Speed, remain incredibly popular with fans. John Woo’s Face/Off is definitely one of those films, and it’s clearly more well-known than Lord of War. Face/Off was also a box office success, earning $245.7 million worldwide on an $80 million budget (according to Box Office Mojo). Critically, it performed very well, currently holding a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although Lord of War has slightly higher user ratings, Face/Off receives significantly more votes across all platforms, demonstrating its lasting appeal.

Talk about a Face/Off sequel continues online, and a recent reunion between Nicolas Cage and director John Woo on the film Gambino has fueled hopes that it will actually happen. Although John Woo won’t direct the sequel – Adam Wingard will, with a script by Simon Barrett, a great match for the project – excitement remains high, particularly if both Cage and John Travolta reprise their roles.

Although the 1997 film had a satisfying conclusion, it still allowed for a continuation. The idea of characters swapping faces or identities could cleverly add new layers of mystery to the original story and drive a new plot. However, making a sequel is tricky – it needs to honor what fans loved about the first film while also feeling fresh and modern. A successful sequel is possible, but recent production delays have left its future unclear.

The Uncertain Status of the ‘Face/Off’ Sequel


Paramount Pictures

Let’s be real, Face/Off 2 feels like it’s on the back burner right now. As of today, there’s no production start date, and honestly, no idea when we might actually see it in theaters. It doesn’t seem to be a huge priority for anyone involved, which leaves it in that frustrating limbo where it could either pop up unexpectedly with good news, or just quietly disappear. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but don’t hold your breath.

Although many fans have long hoped for a Face/Off sequel, Nicolas Cage currently seems more interested in revisiting his character Yuri in the new Lords of War film, which is still being filmed and doesn’t have a release date yet.

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2025-12-11 05:03