Nic Cage 'Drank a Bottle of Vodka' and Trashed a Casino During 'Leaving Las Vegas' Shoot, Director Says: 'I Was Furious'

Key Points:

• Director Mike Figgis revealed that filming "Leaving Las Vegas" with Nicolas Cage was challenging due to Cage's intense method acting, including drinking a bottle of vodka before a scene, which angered Figgis but resulted in a powerful performance.
• Figgis met Francis Ford Coppola, Cage's uncle, during the production, leading to a long-distance friendship and the creation of Figgis's 2025 documentary "Megadoc," which explores Coppola's prolonged efforts to make his film "Megalopolis."
• Figgis shared advice from Coppola’s wife about working with the director, noting Coppola's tendency to frequently change his mind during projects.
• In "Megadoc," Figgis argues that Coppola limited his own creative freedom and defends the documentary against criticism, asserting that Coppola’s film had meaningful artistic intent.
• Figgis acknowledged that the documentary’s critical success may have caused tension, understanding how a filmmaker might feel conflicted about a low-budget documentary overshadowing their passion project.