Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Vic Armstrong, Nic Cage get "Left Behind"

(Photo Courtesy of Freestyle Releasing)
(Photo Courtesy of Freestyle Releasing)

(Photo Courtesy of Freestyle Releasing) (Photo Courtesy of Freestyle Releasing)

In 1993, Vic Armstrong made his directorial debut with the Dolph Lundgren action vehicle “Joshua Tree.” Now, more than 20 years later, the stunt man-turned-actor returns to the big screen with the new Nicolas Cage thriller “Left Behind.”

Based on the popular series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, the film follows Cage’s Ray Steele, an airplane pilot who is in the middle of the flight when the Rapture occurs, causing millions of people around the globe to vanish leaving behind only their clothes and belongings. The film follow’s Steele’s attempt to keep his passengers calm as well as his daughter Chloe’s journey on the ground to find her mother and brother. Former American Idol Jordin Sparks stars in the film along with Nicky Whelan (“Hall Pass”), Lea Thompson (“Back to the Future”) and Cassi Thomson (ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth”).

The film marks the fourth time a film adaptation of the novels has been attempted following an attempt in 2000 that lead to two sequels, one in 2002 and one in 2005. However, all three films were criticized for their poor production values and scripts. Producer Paul Lalonde says that getting those things right with this adaptation were crucial.

“There had been adaptations before this one, but really, we wanted to get things right and pay respect to the material,” Lalonde said. “We really wanted to get an excellent script and cast great talent to bring to life that excellent story, and fortunately, I think we really succeeded in doing that.”

A large part of the film’s source material lays in its religious roots, given it’s the story of the Rapture, and that the novels are based on the bible. Lalonde says the film takes that and puts a modern spin on it.

““We’re seeing a number of big, biblical movies on the calendar this year, particularly 'Son of God,' 'Noah,' and 'Exodus,'” Lalonde said. "What makes this film different is that it is a contemporary story that could actually happen at any moment."

Armstrong, who is best known for standing in and doing stunt work for Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones films and Christopher Reeve in the first two Superman films, says that getting back behind the camera was an excellent experience.

“It was great to be back directing again,” Armstrong said. “I just felt great to be back behind the camera, and I was really lucky to get to do it with material as strong as this was and with actors like Nic and Jordin and the rest of the cast.”

Although it’s quite the transition from stunt work to directing, Armstrong says that the two have more in common than people might think.

“Both of them are visual storytelling elements, so in that sense, they’re very similar,” Armstrong said. “When you choreograph a fight scene, you have to tell a story very much in the same way you do when you direct a film, so in that sense, the transition was a smooth one when I first directed a film in 1993 and on this film as well.”

For Cage, who considers himself a spiritual person, working on this film was a near dream come true.

“I’m a very spiritual person myself, and the story really spoke to me,” Cage said. “The whole family element hit close to home and I think the film does an excellent job of balancing the spiritual aspect with the emotional aspect.”

Cage hopes that the film will spark conversation with audiences and in turn, perhaps help them become a bit closer.

“My greatest hope for this movie is that people will be entertained and thrilled by it, but also that they’ll go home and have conversations with their family and ask, ‘Do you think this could happen, or couldn’t happen?’, and it’ll inspire discussion and closeness,” Cage said.

“Left Behind” opens in theaters Oct. 3.

 

Reach the reporter at seweinst@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @S_Weinstein95

Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.