A Sinkhole Swallowing His Home Is Just The Latest Twist In Nicolas Cage's Year Of Bad Luck

It happens to us all; sometimes, it just feels like one thing after another goes wrong. Unfortunately for Nicolas Cage, he's having one of those years, and if a sinkhole under his property wasn't a low point in itself, there's also a ton of uncertainty surrounding "Fortitude," the major blockbuster of which he's the star. And no, you didn't read that wrong. In early September 2026, the Oscar winner made headlines after a sinkhole swallowed up his Malibu driveway — and the video footage published by the Associated Press is pretty brutal. According to The Guardian, several other properties nearby were evacuated because of, "Hazardous conditions resulting from the sinkhole." Gas was cut off in the area as another precaution, water service was at risk, and emergency services began taking measures to reinforce neighboring houses on piles. 

Making matters even worse, there were also concerns about Cyclone Marie causing even more chaos in the area, and with the sinkhole wiping out much of the road, there was a very real risk that first responders wouldn't be able to get to the other side of it. One upside (though we're not even sure that's the right word) is that Cage wasn't there at the time of the collapse. KTLA also reported that the actor's house looked as though it was completely empty, likely for renovations (via Page Six). Still, it's sure to have been a massive ordeal for him regardless. Between the trauma of losing even part of a house and the inevitable costs that arise from it, it's a lot to deal with, and we have no doubts he'd consider it one of the more tragic things Cage has gone through over the years. Still, the sinkhole wasn't even his first brush with spectacularly bad luck in 2026. 

Truth be told, 2026 should be a great year for Nicolas Cage. His TV show "Spider-Noir," which the actor starred in and produced, got rave reviews, and he's the star of the upcoming "Fortitude" too. However, "Spider-Noir" has not been renewed for a second season, and "Fortitude" became the subject of a lawsuit before it was even released. In terms of "Spider-Noir," Cage doesn't seem particularly upset. As he reasoned to Deadline, "For me, one season is perfect, having said what I wanted to say with this dangerous, innovative, pop-art Spider-Man. Onwards, upwards, inwards." However, he hasn't been as vocal about "Fortitude." 

As the Los Angeles Times reported, the unencrypted film was placed on a viewing drive and given to Netflix, and then subsequently stolen. Its producer has sued the streaming giant for over $100 million over the situation, though Netflix has countered that the film should never have been given to them the way it was in the first place. "Netflix disputes any claim that it bears the risk of loss for a film delivered without the proper industry-standard safeguards [...] We have taken extra measures to support the filmmaker and his team," they argued. 

Cage's part in "Fortitude" is complete, so he's probably already been paid. The actor isn't listed as a producer, which should provide some relief. Cage lost his fortune in the past, and though he's managed to get back on his feet again (the aforementioned Malibu home was bought in 2024 for $10.5 million), we're sure the "Face/Off" star has serious anxieties over a repeat experience. Still, even without the producer's credit and the financial risks that go along with it, he must be pretty frustrated by the delays. Talk about a year requiring, well, fortitude.