There's probably just going to be me doing this, so I'll keep it in one location, and then, if I'm running the camera and doing all this other stuff, I probably shouldn't give myself a lot of lines. That I was just doing it and not caring. Neither is it an accident when he's towed to a garage run by a yokel (Chris Warner) who tells him the bill is going to be $1,000, and that he only takes cash, and that none of the ATMs in. Cage plays the Janitor, a protagonist who doesn't utter a word at all duringits entire run time which is actually perfect for the slasher film. So, I started making the plays events, where you could bring drinks and your friends. In between getting handy with the disinfectant, the character drinks a lot of soda, plays a lot of pinball, and, oh yes, systematically demolishes one possessed monster after another all without saying a word. How an unknown actor and a luckless director teamed with Nicolas Cage to create 2021's first cult movie. Well, yes, that would be great. What do you make of Nicolas Cages road to recovery? I think his wacky ideas could lead to something great one day. Sure, the film could have been better, but it didn't exactly need to be: this was thoroughly entertaining" and gave to it a rating of 3.5 on 5. We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. One of the most prolific actors of his time, Cage's . Parsons (whose screenplay Cage reportedly found on "the Blood List" of well-regarded un-produced horror scripts), "Willy's Wonderland" has been. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the spelling ofNicolas Cage's name. She was the person who stuck her neck out for me, for all of us, and knocked on Nicolas Cage's door, and was able to pitch his manager, Mike Nilon. That was really fun. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy's Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. Let's get a turtle instead of a regular mammal.". This is unbelievable, this would never happen. There's nothing here but the novelty, but here's why it works. Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. Parsons: The next stage was really Nicolas Cage defending the script while we took it out to try and get financing for it. When Liv finishes, several animatronics awaken and attack the group. The Janitor in Willy's Wonderlandis a mysterious character who the audience gets to know very little about. Cleaning it up would entail telling my soon-to-be 16-year-old son that he is now the man of the house, saying to . The Academy Award-winning actor was once a leading man banking $20 million a film. I'll credit the creature designs of the many killer animatronic animals inhabited by the spirits of a dead Satanic cult demanding sacrifice. Nicolas Cage's Willy's Wonderland character the Janitor doesn't say anything throughout the movie, but his actions speak louder than words. Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox, Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It, 2023 CNBC LLC. Cage squandered it on a string of expensive and often eccentric purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several properties. But what is it? Cage lost it and most of his fortune. 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. 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. Tito the Turtle is an unnamed laborer who, upon being ridiculed for his love of turtles, killed every single last one of his co-workers, and was caught shortly after where he met Jerry Robert Willis and Love, joining the "Crazy 8". Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! But this wonderland has a dark secret that the The Janitor is about to discover. THAT is the sort of movie you're watching. I would visit him for summers, and those summers I wanted to be him," he explains. Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser & Nightbreed) chats weekly with special guests about Horror & Thriller topics. Picture 1 of 1. For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary. Right off the bat, something felt off about this film. There are a lot of different scenarios in which a quiet loner is seen to be someone that . I was like, "Sounds good to me.". Related: Channing Tatum, Tom Holland, Amy Adams and Nicolas Cage's Films Top 100 'Most Anticipated' Movies of 2021 Nobody is going to watch this thing." Pokemon Emerald Version (Nintendo Game Boy Advance) Label Wear Authentic Tested . Liv's parents were among the victims and a guilty Lund adopted her. Instead, it was released through video on demand, with a simultaneous limited theatrical release in the United States, on February 12, 2021 by Screen Media Films. . I had like three cameras set. With the way-out horror-comedy "Willy's Wonderland," Nicolas Cage continues his recent trend of lending his name and his gonzo acting to genre filmmakers willing to get a little weird. For those looking for the splendidly crazy moments that can define Nicolas Cage performances, I think you'll be slightly disappointed. When you look at it like that, it really works, but if you're looking for something note-worthy, you need to look elsewhere. If that sounds dumb and ridiculous, that's because it is, but it also works. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! 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. That was a challenge, but it was a fun challenge. Below, Lewis and Parsons talk us through the making of Willy's Wonderland and tease a possible second adventure for Cage's Janitor. KEVIN LEWIS: I hadn't directed a movie in a while. Action, Thus, Cage started selling off all of his properties to pay off his debts. Like this story? Cage talked about just how bad of a hole he was in financially and what it took for him to come out. 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. [7] He put the script on Blood List, seeking to have it produced as a full-length film. Anyway, we let the cameras roll and he did all that himself, man. Even his financial manager advised him against all of his crazy purchases, but he wouldnt listen to any advice. People watching it three, four, five times. That sounds like everything you would need for a gonzo movie experience with, hopefully, an unrestrained Cage. A quiet drifter is tricked into a janitorial job at the now condemned Willy's Wonderland. I'm doing a lot better. You're not going to go into dire straits buying an octopus. Willy's Wonderland is currently available to watch in cinemas (wear a mask!) Part of Polygon's Best of 2021. 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. The silent hero archetype used for Nicolas Cage's mute character inWilly's Wonderlandis also clever subversion made better by the audacious actor in the role. 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. In the end, Willy's Wonderland promises Cage fighting robots and it delivers. I always picture it something like what Bruce [Campbell] says in the Evil Dead: "Groovy!" Willy and the Janitor fight each other until the Janitor rips Willy's head off. 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. A quiet loner finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. We have an 81 percent audience review on Rotten Tomatoes. ', Sketch Comedy Series That Show Tonight Offers An Alternative To Late Night Comedy, Roasts Joe Biden And The White House With Nursing Home Skit, Hollywood Producer Harvey Weinstein Loses Los Angeles Rape And Sexual Assault Case, Receives Additional 16-Year Prison Sentence, Nicolas Cage To Play Dracula In Comedic Adaptation Renfield From Universal Pictures, Nicolas Cage Dishes On Disney: Theres A Lot Of Fear There, Rumor: The Flash to Feature Crazy Cameos, Including Tom Welling and Nicolas Cage as Superman, Nicolas Cage Weighs In On Alec Baldwin Rust Shooting: Actors Need To Know How To Use A Gun And Know What The Procedure Is. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willys Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. Was it there? Parsons, who . The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent opens in movie theaters on April 22. Willy's Wonderland was originally set for a worldwide theatrical release on October 30, 2020, but was postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the vents, Arty chases Liv, but she escapes into a fairy-themed room where Sara kidnaps her. A good way to kill 90 odd minutes, I did have myself a few chuckles throughout, don't expect a plot or anything haha, just enjoy another great nic cage experience. Don't miss: The Ben & Jerry's founders knew nothing about making ice creamso they took a $5 class. Absolutely not, but if you know what to expect, I think you'll have a blast watching it as I did. $19.95. Get some good popcorn in, and something to drink and enjoy! Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy's Wonderland, an . The Janitor receives his repaired vehicle and invites Liv to accompany him. [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. All of his crazy purchases, eventually facing foreclosure on several properties not going to go dire! Talent opens in movie theaters on April 22 about making ice creamso they took a $ 5.., see our Glossary his debts quiet drifter is tricked into a janitorial job at now! Use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary because it is, but here 's why it.... 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