Nicolas Cage headlines a new action thriller, Best Pancakes in the County, set to deliver a tense and explosive story unfolding inside a small-town diner. Filmed in Arkansas, the movie follows a fast-talking con man caught in a violent standoff involving dangerous federal agents and secrets that threaten to ignite chaos during one gripping night.
A High-Stakes Conflict Unfolds in a Small-Town Diner
Best Pancakes in the County centers on a single night where a quiet diner becomes the battleground for a life-or-death confrontation. The story involves a con man whose past catches up with him, exacting deadly consequences, and a waitress with hidden motives. As alliances shift and tensions escalate, survival hinges on quick thinking and deadly precision. A production note emphasizes,
“over the course of one night at a small-town diner that becomes the epicenter of a deadly standoff involving rogue federal agents, a fast-talking con man with a dangerous past, and a waitress harboring secrets of her own. As loyalties blur and tensions erupt, survival depends on who can outthink – and outgun – everyone else. In this diner, the ‘best pancakes in the county’ turn out to be the least explosive thing on the menu.”
Key Cast Includes Shelley Hennig and Justin Long
Shelley Hennig, known for Ouija, plays the enigmatic waitress whose secrets add depth to the story’s suspense, while Justin Long joins the cast in an unspecified role. The production, quietly advancing under the radar, is currently filming in Arkansas, leveraging the locale’s small-town charm as a backdrop for the unfolding drama. Fortitude International is managing worldwide sales and expects to present the film at the upcoming European Film Market. The team hopes the movie’s blend of contained action and suspense will attract significant attention at the festival circuit and beyond.
Ken Sanzel Leads the Project as Writer and Director
The film is both written and directed by Ken Sanzel, recognized as a visionary filmmaker by the production team. Producers include Raja Collins, Eduard Osipov of Beno Films, Eric Brenner, and Caliwood Pictures partners Niko Fomenko and R. Wesley Sierk III. Executive producers supporting the effort feature John D. Straley, Audra Gricius, Jina Panebianco, Lance Kawas, Ahmed S. Boomrod, Eugene Pruss, and Nadine de Barros of Fortitude International. Reflecting on the production, the team stated,
“We’re thrilled to reunite with the iconic Cage, guided by the visionary Ken Sanzel,”
and added,
“This action-packed, fast-paced adventure with wit and intensity is set to captivate audiences worldwide.”
Sanzel and Cage Reunite Amid a Career Revival
Ken Sanzel’s background spans television and film, with experience directing crime dramas such as Numb3rs, NYC 22, and Blue Bloods. His feature film credits include Blunt Force Trauma and Kill Chain, the latter also starring Nicolas Cage as Araña, a mercenary turned hotel owner. Best Pancakes in the County marks the second collaboration between Sanzel and Cage, arriving during an important career resurgence for Cage. The actor has transitioned from less notable projects to critically praised independent films and successful studio productions in recent years, affirming his lasting appeal in the action thriller genre.
With production underway in Arkansas and key creative figures driving the project, Best Pancakes in the County is positioned to be a significant addition to the Nicolas Cage action thriller portfolio. Its tightly wound narrative, combined with Cage’s commanding presence and Sanzel’s direction, promise an intense cinematic experience that could resonate with action fans and thriller audiences worldwide.
