The iconic action film of the ‘90s Face/Off is reportedly getting a sequel after almost three decades. The John Woo directorial starred Nicolas Cage and John Travolta as the leads, swapping faces to best each other in a cat-and-mouse chase. The film gained a cult following upon release and earned $245 million at the box office.
The sequel was announced back in 2021, with Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire director Adam Wingard taking over the reins as director. At the time it was reported that the film would recast the leads, despite taking off from where the first film ended. However, an insider reported that Travolta and Cage might return for the sequel.
Will Nicolas Cage And John Travolta Return For Face/Off 2?
Nicolas Cage and John Travolta starred as the face-swapped FBI Agent-Terrorist duo Sean Archer and Castor Troy in John Woo’s Face/Off. The film was known for its whacky premise and stylized action sequences, which became a staple of Woo. The film gained a cult following after its release and it was commercially successful as well.
In 2021, twenty-four years after the film’s release, Paramount announced that a sequel was in development. According to Deadline, Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard was tapped to direct the sequel and he would collaborate with his writing partner Simon Barrett. It was speculated then that the leads of the film would be recast with new actors.
In an interview on The Fourth Wall podcast, however, Wingard mentioned that he would be more interested in the project if they would get Travolta and Cage on board. He said,
“Look, I mean, like, the only way that we’re going to do this really is if we get, you know, the original cast. I’m not going to say how it works or anything, but like, it’s got to be 100% the real follow-up not just like some fan service movie, not just some like ca-ching thing, this has to feel like the ultimate follow-up to the original film.”
Now, popular scooper Daniel Richtman has revealed in his newsletter that Face/Off 2 would indeed see John Travolta and Nicolas Cage returning as the leads. Though there has been no official confirmation yet, the insider is known for his mostly accurate predictions.
How Will Adam Wingard Continue From Face/Off In The Sequel?
While the Face/Off sequel was initially touted to be a reboot, the recent rumor of John Travolta and Nicolas Cage returning has fans speculating that the film would be a direct follow-up to the original. Despite Travolta (Castor Troy as Sean Archer) dying at the end of the film, the makers seem to have found a way to bypass that.
In an interview with Showbiz Cheatsheet, writer Simon Barrett mentioned that he never believed that Nicolas Cage’s character died in the film as they never showed him being dead. He said,
“When you watch it now, it’s kind of clear that what they were actually probably doing was trying to have it both ways where he looks pretty damn dead when he gets shot with the fishing spear. But, they don’t cover him up and the back of it is him getting loaded on an ambulance. To me, don’t load a person on an ambulance next to a living person without putting a sheet over them in a movie unless they’re alive.”
While films have used this trope of showing a character getting an off-screen death to re-introduce them in a sequel, Barrett’s theory still seems a bit insane. However, fans seem to be behind the concept and are excited about the prospect of Travolta and Cage returning.
This is insane. And I’m in.
— Relic Phillips (@PhillipsRelic) April 21, 2024
I do recall the man being impaled with a spear and a boat right? Can’t wait to see it though 😂 pic.twitter.com/gprBOaGwEN
— Sabo B Rock (@Roderick4392) April 21, 2024
HE LET HIS FACE GET STOLEN A SECOND TIME?!?!?!?!?!?!
— Sebula (@SebastianNebula) April 21, 2024
Nic Cage would show up in an ultrasound if you pay him.
— Paul E. Raff (@mookiewilson86) April 21, 2024
We absolutely don't need this movie, but I want it so bad.
— Derek Martin (@ThatDerekMartin) April 21, 2024
Can’t wait for this , hope will be as good as the first one
— shezai fejzo (@SFejzo) April 21, 2024
With even Adam Wingard committed to telling the story of Face/Off only with the characters of Castor Troy and Sean Archer, the sequel will mostly continue from where the original left off.
