Adam Wingard Exits Sequel as Paramount Seeks New Director

The planned sequel to the 1990s action movie Face/Off currently lacks a director. Adam Wingard, who was set to write and helm the Paramount Pictures project, departed last summer after a mutual agreement with the studio, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.

A Change in Direction

The project is now described as an “open assignment,” meaning Paramount is seeking other filmmakers to pitch their visions for the follow-up to the 1997 cult favourite starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Initial plans for a Face/Off remake began in 2019, with Oren Uziel hired to write the script. Wingard later joined in 2021 to direct a sequel, co-writing the screenplay with Simon Barrett.

Did You Know? The original Face/Off, released in June 1997, grossed over $240 million worldwide and received an Academy Award nomination for sound effects editing.

Wingard’s Future Projects

Wingard’s next feature is the A24 thriller Onslaught, featuring Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Drew Starkey, and Rebecca Hall. He previously directed The Guest, the 2016 sequel Blair Witch, and the Monsterverse films Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Expert Insight: The departure of a director with nearly five years of attachment signals a significant shift in creative direction for the project, potentially impacting the timeline and overall vision for the sequel.

The Legacy of Face/Off

John Woo’s original Face/Off centered on an FBI agent (Travolta) and a terrorist (Cage) who undergo an experimental procedure to swap faces and identities. In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wingard expressed excitement about the script, calling it a “true sequel” he “could have never dreamed of.”

What’s Next?

With Wingard’s departure, Paramount will likely solicit pitches from other directors. The studio’s stated priority remains reuniting Nicolas Cage and John Travolta for the sequel. Depending on the new director’s vision, the film could maintain continuity with the original or explore a significantly different approach. The project will continue its development cycle as Paramount seeks a new creative leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Adam Wingard leave the project?

Adam Wingard left the Face/Off 2 project last summer, with both sides mutually agreeing to part ways, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Who starred in the original Face/Off?

The original Face/Off starred John Travolta and Nicolas Cage.

What was Wingard’s impression of the script?

Wingard described the script as “really fucking awesome” and a “true sequel” to Face/Off that he “could have never dreamed of.”

Will the sequel ultimately capture the spirit of the original while forging its own path?