Nicolas Cage is unleashing his meme-able rage as a gun-toting “mad genius” for his latest Western, “Gunslingers.”
Cage, who previously starred in fellow genre films “The Old Way” and “Butcher’s Crossing,” plays Ben, an unhinged reformed outlaw who has a spiritual awakening on the road of revenge. Stephen Dorff and Heather Graham also star in “Gunslingers,” along with Scarlet Stallone, Costas Mandylor, Tzi Ma, and Randall Batinkoff.
The official synopsis reads: “Reformed gunslinger Thomas Keller (Dorff) and mad genius Ben (Cage) are guided by spiritual leader Jericho (Mandylor) as they strive for vindication. While confronting their violent history, a brutal bar fight and deadly feud reignites between Thomas, Ben, and the notorious Five Points Gang. Now baptized and reborn, Thomas grapples with fresh challenges, testing his newfound peace amidst a town steeped in secrets, violence, and a relentless quest for revenge.”
The film is set in the fictional Kentucky town of Redemption. Brian Skiba (“The 2nd,” “Dead Man’s Hand”) writes and directs the feature.
“Gunslingers” is produced by Skiba, Batinkoff, and Laurie Love. Executive producers include Brilliant Pictures Sean O’Kelly and Marc Bikindou, with Jad Ben Ammar, Michael Tadross Jr., ZTA Entertainment’s David Wolkoff and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Milestone Entertainment’s Alan B. Bursteen, Dawn Bursteen, and Grindstone’s Barry Brooker and Stan Wertlieb.
In addition to “Gunslingers,” Cage leads Lorcan Finnegan’s psychological thriller “The Surfer.” The film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where the IndieWire review cited its nods to 1970s New Wave Australian cinema. Cage stars as an unnamed character who brings his teenage son (Finn Little) to the Australian beach where he was raised. His character is an Australian who moved to California when he himself was a teen after his father was found dead on the same beach. However, the locals are less than thrilled to welcome him back, and a conflict ensues.
In 2024, Cage starred in the highest grossing Neon film ever, Osgood Perkins’ “Longlegs.” The Oscar-winning actor will next lead David O. Russell’s ’70s-set biopic “Madden” about NFL legend John Madden. Cage is portraying the titular figure during his tenure as the coach of the Oakland Raiders.
“Gunslingers” premieres in select theaters and on digital April 11. Check out the trailer below.
