Nicolas Cage's Outcast Pulled From Theaters Just Before Release

China's newest co-production, Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen, was halted by the Yunnan Film Group just hours before its scheduled theatrical release. There has been no word as to the reason why the film has been pulled. The movie follows two crusade era adventurers who somehow find themselves in China, and romantically and eventually violently involved with the local royalty.

My guess the reason why this didn't work is Nicholas Cage's aggressive "nouveau shamanic" acting style mixed with the act of violently chopping people up with a broad sword. This probably seemed like a great idea at first for the Yunnan Film Group, because of Cage's star power in the mainland, but we all know what he's capable of when the cameras start rolling. Have you seen Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans or Leaving Las Vegas? I can imagine Nicolas Cage in a foaming at the mouth fury, chopping people to bits being more than a little unsettling. It's not quite the same image the producers had of him posing for Montblanc watches at the airport.

More events to keep you entertained this week:

• The Shooting at Meridian Art Space on Oct 5
• The Fisher King at Dada on Oct 6
• Monstrous Mondays Presents: Night of the Demons at 69 Cafe on Oct 6

photos: hollywoodreporter.com