Chapter 114 – On-Set Visit
After settling the last major concern on his mind, Wayne was finally able to focus entirely on production. As time went on, every aspect of pre-production proceeded smoothly—actors were signing on and gradually joining the crew to begin preparing for their roles.
Although Nicolas Cage had a fair amount of fame, it was mainly in the indie arthouse circuit, which didn't carry much weight in the world of mainstream commercial films. His agent didn't haggle too hard with John over salary or demands either.
The agreed-upon rate of $1.5 million was a solid sum for Cage, and he didn't ask for any excessive perks—just the standard benefits and rights afforded to a lead actor on set.
At John's request, every actor and key crew member signed a special clause in their contracts: anyone who affected production due to the use of illegal substances, marijuana, or psychiatric medication could be immediately dismissed without compensation. If their actions caused financial loss to the production, Warner Bros. reserved the right to pursue personal liability.
Wayne had the entire production schedule mapped out—filming would begin in October, wrap by Christmas, and move into post-production at the start of 1993. The goal was to release the film by mid-May to kick off the summer blockbuster season.
Promotion wouldn't be his concern—Warner Bros. already had an extensive marketing campaign planned. As one of the studio's headline releases, the film would even get a coveted commercial slot during the Super Bowl halftime show.
Once Cage officially joined the production, he began intensive fitness training. His skeletal appearance had been achieved through starvation, so the crew brought in professional trainers and nutritionists to restore his health carefully—he needed to maintain the look without developing malnutrition that could delay filming.
Hollywood was full of "balloon actors"—Christian Bale, for example, would later become a textbook case of extreme body transformation. But Wayne had always disliked such drastic methods. He believed that extreme weight fluctuations, no matter how carefully managed, took a serious toll on the body.
Still, for many actors, such physical sacrifice was a mark of dedication—a way to prove their commitment to a role.
Brandon Lee, now working behind the scenes, had officially joined the stunt team. He also took on the role of Nicolas Cage's stunt double and trained alongside him daily.
"Nic, the role of Arthur demands a lot," Wayne said one day while stopping by the training facility. "This is a pure one-man show, so I'm going to push you hard."
He watched Cage for a moment, taking in his slouched posture and hollowed cheeks. "Your entire body needs to embody a sickly loneliness, but your face must always practice wearing a warm smile."
Resting in a corner between sets, Cage looked up and gave Wayne a brief glance. "I know what I'm doing."
Then he lowered his head again, mumbling lines from the script as he fell deeper into character.
Wayne wasn't bothered by the curt attitude. Cage, like himself, was a true eccentric—one of those geniuses with quirks and pride. As long as the job got done, Wayne didn't care how it happened.
"Director Garfield!"
He turned to see Brandon Lee waving politely. Compared to Cage, Brandon was far more approachable. Perhaps it was his Asian heritage, but the young man radiated humility, restraint, and discipline.
To better match Cage's wiry build, Brandon had shed another ten pounds off his already slender frame. He paid close attention to mimicking Cage's gait and small habits, studying him like a mirror.
After checking in with the actors and exchanging a few words of encouragement, Wayne left the training center.
Everything in Los Angeles was going smoothly. Preparations were on schedule, and he'd even gotten word from Industrial Light & Magic that the props and models he'd ordered were finished and ready to be delivered.
Two days before the crew was set to fly to New York, Wayne handed off production responsibilities to John and Zack Snyder and slipped away with only his assistant Sergei in tow—heading to the outskirts of L.A.
The Mask production crew was filming outdoor scenes nearby, and this visit had been long promised.
Truthfully, it was Wayne's first time doing a set visit for another film. He wasn't just showing support—he wanted one last chance to see Cameron Diaz before leaving for New York.
He had been so busy lately that his feet barely touched the ground. Cameron had called several times, only to be turned away by his assistant, Nina.
The Mask's crew wasn't large. They had converted a few old houses into temporary studio spaces. After Wayne explained his presence to security, he was led into the main shooting area.
"Please keep quiet once we enter, Director Garfield," the guard whispered. "They're filming right now. I'll let Miss Diaz know you're here."
"No need," Wayne said, glancing at his watch. "It's nearly noon—they'll be breaking for lunch soon anyway."
He figured she'd come out on her own.
After stepping into the soundstage, Wayne didn't go too far inside. Instead, he stood quietly in a corner near the entrance, observing from a distance.
On set, Jim Carrey—face caked in bright green makeup—was acting opposite three men in black suits brandishing guns. Wayne had never encountered this kind of theatrical makeup before, and the vivid green made for a striking visual.
He watched closely, fascinated by Jim Carrey's performance. The actor's expressions were endlessly dynamic, his face morphing with each second. It was like watching a human cartoon—fluid, exaggerated, and utterly mesmerizing.
"Cut! That's a wrap for this take. Break time!" the director's voice rang out.
Only then did Wayne step out of the shadows and make his way over to Cameron Diaz, who was sitting alone on a prop crate. Even with a full face of makeup, the exhaustion on her sweet face was evident.
"Sweetheart, you don't look so good. You're not coming down with something, are you?" he asked, noticing how she kept her head down, flipping through a magazine without much interest. Leaning closer, he exhaled softly into her ear.
"Oh my...! What are you doing here? I didn't think you had time to visit me on set!" Cameron's face lit up with surprise and joy. She sprang up and wrapped him in a big, warm hug.
"We're flying to New York in two days to start filming," Wayne said, smiling as he held her for a moment before letting go. "Thought I'd stop by before I left. I'll probably be stuck over there for months."
Cameron leaned forward playfully and returned the breathy gesture into his ear, whispering with a smirk, "Are you trying to tell me something, Daddy?"
"Was it that obvious?"
"Obviously. You're like a hormone-powered robot that never runs out of steam."
By now, several crew members were openly watching them. Truthfully, many had noticed Wayne the moment he entered the set, though few recognized him. After all, directors were mostly behind-the-scenes types—well-known only within certain circles.
"Cameron, is this your boyfriend? I could've sworn you told me you were single."
Just as the two were deciding where to go for lunch, a tall woman interrupted them. She had striking auburn hair and a bold, angular face—classic American beauty with attitude. Her voice was loud, and though her tone feigned curiosity, it was clear she intended for everyone nearby to hear.
"Amy, what I do is none of your business." Cameron's smile instantly vanished the moment she saw her. "Why are you so interested in whether I have a boyfriend or not? If you're that desperate for a man, go find one yourself."
"Hey, relax. I was just looking out for you," Amy replied mock-innocently. "This is Hollywood, remember? Dangerous place for a first-time actress like you."
"Amy, that's enough. I don't want to see you right now."
Wayne could tell this wasn't the first time these two had clashed—there was clearly bad blood between them.
Amy's eyes sparkled as she turned her attention to him and put on a bright, practiced smile. "Hi there, handsome. I'm Amy Yasbeck. Nice to meet you! Mind telling me your name?"
"Bitch," Cameron muttered under her breath, clearly not up to the verbal sparring.
Wayne had no intention of getting dragged into petty drama. That wasn't why he came here. Without saying another word, he gently grabbed Cameron's arm and turned to Amy.
"Hi. I'm Wayne Garfield," he said firmly. "Sorry, but we have something to discuss. Would you mind giving us a bit of privacy?"