Nicolas Cage Is ‘Left Behind’ in Trailer for Rapture Thriller

Wall Street Journal ^ | 5/30/14 | MICHAEL CALIA

[SoFloFreeper]

Who needs Kirk Cameron when you have Nicolas Cage? The teaser for the upcoming Rapture thriller “Left Behind” — based on the bestselling novel of the same name by evangelical Christian minister Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins — just debuted on the movie’s official Facebook page. It certainly looks more expensive and effects-heavy than the 2000 version, which featured the former “Growing Pains” star in a lead role. This time around, Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill”) takes over Cameron’s part as journalist Buck Williams, but the big draw here is Oscar winner Cage — no stranger to apocalyptic cinema after 2009′s “Knowing”– following up his acclaimed performance in the independent drama “Joe” from last year. Cage plays airline pilot Rayford Steele, played in the original version by veteran TV actor Brad Johnson.

[SoFloFreeper]

Don't really know what to think about this....I think Cage is a good actor. I am concerned about how one eschatological view may be portrayed. I also think our world needs to know the truth of God's judgment.

Hmm. Thoughts?

[Hoodat]

Jesus is coming. Look busy.

[Wingy]

I’m guessing that when the film opens, there will be plenty of opinions offered right here. Patience, Grasshopper...

[C. Edmund Wright]

I read some of these books when they came out…..Cage is interesting choice as Rayford Steele. I don’t see many movies, but I’ll probably go see this.

[wku man]

From what I've read, the authors of the series didn't like the original films, thinking they were cheesy and would only appeal to Christians. I liked the originals, and own them on DVD...but then again, I'm a Christian who's willing to overlook the cheesy effects, cheesy soundtrack and at times cheesy acting because of the message. Cheesy? Yeah.

It's a great story, that needs to be seen by a larger, Generation.com/Gen X audience. Sorry, but Kirk Cameron and Brad Johnson -- both of whom I like -- just don't have the star appeal to draw a mass audience. Combine Cage's star power with some good effects, a rockin' soundtrack (I hope), and a good supporting cast, and this could be an example of exactly what we need...conservative pop culture. Here's hoping more follow.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[LS]

Cage’s career is interesting. In the late 90s something happened-—don’t know if he got into financial trouble, but he had to make some poor grade movies. Too bad because at one time he was considered among the best.

[VanDeKoik]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYkw-5htPw0

Obviously he was hurting real bad to have made these commercials.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Know nothing about the book or movies.

But is this brief article right about the book/movie plot?

IIRC, the anti-Christ is for EVERYone, and comes BEFORE the rapture (believers being taken). The anti-christ is destroyed. Thus, there is nothingness after the rapture.

Sounds like the plot is a bit wrong WRT the Bible.

[CaptainK]

He’s a spend thrift who doesn’t seem to like paying his taxes:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicholas-cages-biggest-troubles-179428

[C. Edmund Wright]

He plays some conservative type guys a lot….as in the National Treasure series…and if the script is at all true, this character as well.

[SampleMan]

Let me guess, there will be a few changes to the script, like:

1. Global warming makes most people, who don't kow tow to it, suddenly disappear.

2. Gaea, the Earth Goddess, then brings about a time of tribulation, where arugula is impossible to come by, and people must use only wind power and eat crickets.

3. Everything could have been avoided if the Republicans in Congress wouldn't have blocked Obama, and weren't so darn racist.

[deoetdoctrinae]

It's time to close the book on the FReepathon.

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[wally_bert]

I liked him as Stan Goodspeed in the Rock.

[Abby4116]

There is 7 years of tribulation after the rapture with the Anti Christ as the world "president" as it were. It is a pre-trib rapture setting. The Anti-Christ is alive and somewhat known before the rapture but not in his leadership capacity. At least that is how the books began.

So, no, there is not nothingness after the rapture and the last 3.5 years of that 7 year period is sheer terror.

[Tennessee Nana]

I read Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth more than 40 years ago...

Left Behind seems to copy the ideas..

[driftdiver]

Seems Cage has a very dark spirit. I think he’s taken on the role of most of his movies.

Cage certainly needs Jesus, hope he finds him.

[bonfire]

My fav bumper sticker EVER!

[Hoodat]

I used to have one that said:

ETERNITY: Smoking, or Non-smoking?

[kidd]

Isn’t HBO doing the same thing?
Only the HBO series is directed by a big liberal

I suspect the HBO series is ‘Noah-ing’ this movie...providing akward non-Christian fiction to offset a Christian viewpoint.

[huldah1776]

Since the dead in Christ rise first, and Revelation states that the first resurrection is AFTER the tribulation, keep looking busy.