Nicolas Cage to get weird in Lovecraftian horror Color Out of Space

Do you feel that? It's the warm, tingly sensation of knowing full-well that we're currently living in a time when Nicolas Cage is experiencing something of a glorious revival on the big screen. According to some, Cage's upswing began in 2017 when he starred opposite Selma Blair in Brian Taylor's hilariously dark horror comedy MOM AND DAD. After that, Cage hit fans with a triple threat by offering stellar contributions to films like Panos Cosmatos' MANDY, TEEN TITANS GO! TO THE MOVIES, and of course, Sony's Oscar nominated animated feature SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE. With several other promising titles on the horizon, it would appear as if everything is coming up Milhouse for one of Hollywood's favorite "freak out" actors. It's like Cage has risen from the Walmart bargain bin like a mighty phoenix, ready to burn brightly, once more.

Today, it's been announced that SpectreVision, the boutique genre division of Company X, and ACE Pictures have tapped Cage to star in COLOR OUT OF SPACE, an adaptation of the H.P. Lovecraft novella of the same name. Set to be helmed by Richard Stanley (DUST DEVIL, HARDWARE) – who hasn't directed a feature in over twenty years – the upcoming Lovecraftian horror will find Cage re-teaming with Spectrevision, the very studio that brought us my favorite film of 2018, MANDY. Also set to star in the film are Joely Richardson (NIP/TUCK, EVENT HORIZON), Tommy Chong (CHEECH AND CHONG: UP IN SMOKE, ZOOTOPIA), Elliot Knight (AMERICAN GOTHIC, DC Universe's TITANS), Julian Hillard (THE HANUTING OF HILL HOUSE), and Q’Orianka Kilcher (THE ALIENIST, DORA THE EXPLORER).

According to the project's official press release:

COLOR OUT OF SPACE is a story of cosmic terror about The Gardners, a family who moves to a remote farmstead in rural New England to escape the hustle of the 21st century.  They are busy adapting to their new life when a meteorite crashes into their front yard. The mysterious aerolite seems to melt into the earth, infecting both the land and the properties of space-time with a strange, otherworldly color.  To their horror, the Gardner family discover that this alien force is gradually mutating every life form that it touches…including them.

Included as a part of the press release was a quote from SpectreVision partner Daniel Noah, who commented "Lovecraft is the dark father of modern horror, and we have been searching for an adaptation that captures the true scope of his cosmic dread for years. Richard Stanley – a wizard in his own right – will at long last bring Lovecraft's humbling power to the screen unfiltered."

Johnny Chang, CEO of Ace Pictures Entertainment also voiced his enthusiasm for the project by saying “ACE Pictures Entertainment is thrilled to finance and co-produce COLOR OUT OF SPACE, our second collaboration with SpectreVision. The adaptation by Richard Stanley is outstanding and unique, a perfect canvas for Nicolas Cage's inimitable acting style. We are tremendously excited to continue our partnership with SpectreVision and their signature style of genre.”

Okay, let's make a quick checklist, shall we? Nicolas Cage delivering quality performances once again? Check. A plot inspired by one of the most prolific horror writers ever known? Check. The producers of MANDY ready and willing to get weird with Cthulhu-style beasties and cerebral horror? Check.

Yup. This all checks out on my end. How about you? Are you excited by the prospect of Cage boarding a Lovecraftian horror? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.