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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Nicholas Cage, 'Inconceivable' Stars Meet The Press

John Kiesewetter

What happens when you gather "Face/Off" stars Nicholas Cage and Gina Gershon, WWE wrestler Eva Marie, Austrian actress Nicky Whalen ("Hall Pass," "Franklin & Bash"), movie producer Randall Emmett and director Jonathan Baker?

You get an entertaining press conference about "Inconceivable," the newest Hollywood feature film to shoot in Greater Cincinnati – and be set here as well.

And you learn there will be more movies coming to town.

Credit John Kiesewetter
Producer Randall Emmett and director Jonathan Baker at Montgomery's Village Tavern press conference.

Emmett, who produced Bruce Willis' "Marauders" and John Travolta's "The Life and Death of John Gotti" here, said he plans to film three more movies here next year -- before May.

Here's what we learned about the movie and the stars:

THE SETTING: Like Bruce Willis' "Marauders" produced by Emmett, the "Inconceivable" script was rewritten to make Cincinnati the location after the director (Baker) scouted locations here.

"Originally this was to be shot in the Hamptons," said Baker, referring to the script written by Chloe King ("Poison Ivy II, "Red Shoes Diaries").

"When I saw all Cincinnati had to offer, I changed it to Cincinnati," said Baker, a first-time director, at a press conference in Montgomery's Village Tavern.  He's also a writer, actor, producer and spa owner that you've seen on "Entourage" (2005) and competing on "The Amazing Race" sixth season (2004-05).

"It (Cincinnati) is a cinematic masterpiece. I've seen many states with many (filmmaking tax) incentives, and when I saw this city and how it's been built.... Through the lens it was amazing. I'm so happy to be here because of the people, the restaurants. The flavor of this city and state is one of the best places to film in the entire country."

Credit John Kiesewetter
Crew parking signs in Indian Hill Tuesday.

LOCATIONS: The cast shot Tuesday in an Indian Hill mansion a few miles away from downtown Montgomery. Filming started Monday at the Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center, said Kristen Schlotman, Film Cincinnati executive director.

"We shot two of the three hospital scenes Monday. We go back twice more in the next three weeks," Baker said.

Producers plan to shoot the complete movie here in 16 working days, she said.

THE PLOT: Whalen ("Hall Pass," Franklin & Bash) stars as Katie, who befriends a married couple named Angela and Brian (Gershon, Cage) after moving to the Cincinnati area with her young daughter to start over after an abusive past. Angela notices odd behavior from Katie, and begins to question whether Katie’s intentions are as innocent as she makes them out to be, or if something dark is lurking beneath the surface. The title "Inconceivable" refers to a story line about infertility and in vitro fertilization.

Credit John Kiesewetter
Natalie Eva Marie, also known as WWE's Eva Marie

WIGGING OUT: WWE wrestling superstar Eva Marie left her sexy red wigs at home for her movie debut in "Inconceivable." She's using her natural dark brown hair and her full name, Natalie Eva Marie, as she tries to make the transition from the ring to the big screen like her role model, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Acting with such "heavy hitters" in the movie "is a huge step outside my comfort zone. I'm a WWE superstar, and I usually rock the red hair. I'm just blessed to be a part of this cast. I'm like a sponge, I'm soaking everything up," she said

OLD COUPLE: Cage and Gershon have known each other for about 20 years, since making "Face/Off" in 1997.

"We're so much more mature than we were in that film," said Gershon, whose credits include "Ugly Betty," "Killer Joe," "P.S. I Love You," "Rescue Me," "Cleaners," "Showgirls," "Melrose Place" and an ABC spy drama called "Snoops."

Cage, who won the Academy Award for best actor for "Leaving Las Vegas" in 1995, praised Gershon for her "tenderness, sensitivity…. and tough edge. I know I'm working with an extremely high-powered and high-caliber actress," he said.

Credit John Kiesewetter
Gina Gershon

Gershon said she's "thrilled" to work again with Cage, "an incredible actor" who elevates a co-star's game.  "After one day, I'm very excited. We got lucky with our whole cast," she said.

Also appearing in the film will be Faye Dunaway, who won the best actress Oscar for "Network" in 1977.

WOMEN RULE: Gershon, who has never done a thriller, and Cage said the script offers something rarely seen in movies today:  two strong female roles. 

"There are few movies for women, and this is a great one," said Baker, who also will appear in the film as a researcher analyzing serum and other bodily fluids.

Credit John Kiesewetter
Nicky Whalen

FEEL THE LOVE: Producer Emmett explained why "Inconceivable" is his third Cincinnati movie, his fifth in Ohio, and why he's coming back to make three more next year.

"We love it here The people have really embraced us. Obviously, the (Ohio film tax) incentives help a lot," Emmett said.

Whalen is impressed too. "I've been here a couple of days, and everyone is very friendly," she said.

Baker summed it up this way: "Great cast. Great movie. Great city. Great state."

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.