Dream Scenario nearly starred Adam Sandler instead of Nicolas Cage

Most people watch the surreal A24 film Dream scenario will consider it a project tailor-made for Nicolas Cage. It’s exactly the kind of quirk he likes: a high-concept, character-driven story that allows Cage to exercise both sides of his acting persona: the quiet, soulful side he brought to films like Leaving Las Vegas And Pigand the manic, shouty one that makes him go viral in films like Mother and father or The wicker man. It’s hard to imagine Dream scenario working without a cage. But as writer-director Kristoffer Borgli noted after the film’s secret screening at the 2023 Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, the film was almost made without him: Adam Sandler was originally cast in the lead role.

Cage stars as Paul Matthews, a dim-witted, ineffective professor who suddenly appears in the dreams of people around the world. “I didn’t have anyone specific in mind when I was writing it,” Borgli told the Fantastic Fest audience during a post-screening Q&A. “For a brief moment, Adam Sandler was attached to it, and it just didn’t work out for various reasons like timing and stuff. No one is to blame here; it is only indirect. But it did lead to Nicolas Cage, so I can’t see the film any other way now.”

In an interview with Polygon at Fantastic Fest, Borgli elaborated on how Sandler ended up out of the film. “We were setting this up during the pandemic. Everything was very uncertain,” Borgli said. “It was his schedule. There were just too many variables and it just didn’t work.

“It probably would have been a completely different movie.”

That said, Borgli said he did not change the script in any way when Cage took over the lead role. In his mind, the change was entirely tonal: “Nic Cage just really manifested a version of Paul Matthews that I think was unique to him, that only he could do. And I really love it. I can’t think of any other version now. He really made the script come to life. (…) He just made every part of the film closer and more interesting, with small gestures and nuances. He made choices as an actor that were refreshing and fun, and in that sense he just made it better.”

Borgli said that Cage surprised him a bit about the film because he has never worked with an actor who came to a role so prepared and meticulous about the script. “When we did our first makeup test, when we started trying on outfits, he was already reciting the script perfectly,” he said. “I was impressed. He kept saying, ‘It gets better!’ I’m like, ‘You’re so good already!’ There was never even a line on set, which to me was just amazing.

During the question and answer session, Borgli also said that Cage was perfect for the role because of his particular sense of humor. At a particularly awkward moment Dream scenario, Paul ejaculates prematurely while also farting. “I had so many doubts when I wrote cum fart jokes,” Borgli told the audience. “I had people read the script and said: No, I lost weight there. But I believe I have found a kindred spirit in Nicolas Cage. I think he said something like, “Why not.” three farts?’”

Dream scenario is in theaters now.