On Sunday, Nicolas Cage began filming Medallion, in which he plays a father frantically searching for his missing daughter who has been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a taxi.
One of our readers, Travis, was an extra in Sunday’s scene and sent us a full report, including the movie’s tentative shooting schedule.
One interesting note, the movie was originally set in NYC but as we can tell from these first set photos, it looks like it will now be set in New Orleans.
When we arrived, extras holding was at the Westin Hotel at One Canal Place, New Orleans and everyone was dressed up with Carnival gear. Some extras were on floats and others were cast as Mardi Gras-goers. Mr. Cage arrived at 9:30 a.m. on the set in a black Escalade and as soon as he got out of the vehicle I went up to him and asked him for a photo. He said yes and I was thrilled. I told him I loved all of his movies and that I just saw Drive Angry in 3D!
The whole entire time that we were filming I felt as if I was at a movie premiere because all of the fans were barricaded off from the set and were only allowed to watch, but between takes Nic would wave to the endless and expanding crowds of people and sign autographs and was very sociable.
After a few takes in the morning with the floats (only two rented floats, not part of the real parade) and one marching band, everyone had to change into regular clothing for the next scene which was shot on Canal Street with Cage jumping on top of the Medallion taxicab and searching for his daughter or his daughter’s kidnapper. The way this scene worked out was that some of the extras used their cars in this scene and the street was blocked off as if he was in traffic and it was bumper to bumper and he was chasing after someone. Cage’s stunt double was filming as well.
Sunday was the first day of production for the film. Filming will resume on Fat Tuesday, then they will be on hiatus until April when it starts back up through June.
Nic was so friendly and talkative. I love the fact that he took the time to go to BOTH sides of the street and greet his fans. There was a real parade going on but people were more interested in seeing him film than the actual parade!
Thanks to Travis for the photos (especially the one of him and Nic Cage)! If you have a set report or photos you’d like to share, send them our way at olv@onlocationvacations.com!
Check out our full list of upcoming projects filming in Louisiana here too!
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I am disappointed to know that movie is not shot in NYC and what is the reason?
Nicolas Cage will he find his daughter in one hour? How many cabs r there? Who is the bad guy? I can’t wait to find out.
I work on movie sets as a grip here in New Orleans, I can explain why it was shot here….couple of reasons….. first and foremost . Louisiana has tax credits unlike any other state, plain and simple… the second reason is Nick lived here in New Orleans and he is loved here by many, everyone from tommy the caretaker to the woman down the street who does paintings. Nick had got a bad wrap lately cause he was a lil buzzed, if what happened to any other person , nothing woulda came about it….. Tommy told me how Nick is like family and his wife and kids are very polite and the nicest people you would meet. I just wished I woulda have the chance to meet him. I hope to see him at antoines one time maybe. AND HOPEFULLY I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON ONE OF HIS SETS AS A GRIP IN THE FUTURE ,,,,,,, Hopefully I explained it to you……
I saw city of angels and love to see him in more movies like that. He is the best of all.
Does anyone know what happened at Stella! on the night of March 4th when Nic was there and a window got broken and he was escorted back to the hotel? Was there a fight?
You can really tell who’s stars are shining the brightest in Hollywood. Those stars that have several movie contracts. Like Nicholas Cage, His movie “Drive Angry: 3D” was just released and now he is busy filming “Medallion”. I’d heard he is also working on films “Ghost Rider 2”, and “Tresspass” with Nichole Kidman.
Here is my share… a behind the scene picture of Nicholas Cage filming “Ghost Rider 2”
https://hollywoodmoviestowatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/ghost-rider-spirit-of-vengeance-2012.html
[…] After getting a re-write of the script to change the location from New York to New Orleans, the Nicholas Cage film shot a Mardi Gras scene over the weekend in the Big Easy. You can read about one of the extras experience on the film below courtesy of OnLocationVacations.com: […]