Nicolas Cage clarifies ‘homeless’ comments after copping ‘immense scrutiny’

Nicolas Cage has clarified whether he is actually “homeless” after his Malibu mansion was almost swallowed up by a massive sinkhole in September. 

The Hollywood star, 62, explained that he was referring to the fact he could not have trick or treaters at his $14.9 million ($US10.5 million) beachfront mansion, admitting he received “scrutiny” after the comment made headlines.

“Meaning, my house was not available to my trick or treaters on Halloween night. And Halloween is a very important holiday to me,” the Oscar winner told Extra on Wednesday.

“Not that we are destitute, that was my point. I really have to watch my words to the letter.

“The scrutiny is immense. To the letter. OK, should I have said ‘unhomed?’ Maybe,” he went on.

“I just mean my house was not decorated, it is red-tagged. Please don’t go to that house. You might hurt yourself. That’s my point. But we are doing fine and I am content.”

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The original comment was made during an appearance at the LA Comic Con last weekend, where Cage admitted he couldn’t currently live in his Malibu Mansion.

The National Treasure star was asked about his plans for Halloween during the appearance, and he explained things had to change because of his current living situation. 

“I’m currently a little bit homeless,” he said at the time.

“Something happened to my house in Malibu so I’m just sort of living in hotels so I don’t have normal trick or treaters I would like to enjoy tonight.”

Instead, Cage had plans to take his four-year-old daughter August trick or treating in Santa Monica.

Cage’s beachfront home was hit with catastrophic damage when a sinkhole opened up in the driveway. 

It was the result of heavy rain and severe coastal erosion, which caused the driveway to sink into the ground, leaving a huge hole right in front of the garage. 

His neighbours also had to be evacuated from their homes due to the size of the sinkhole that had emerged. 

Seven homes in the street were deemed unsafe for occupancy because of the “hazardous conditions,” the Post reported in September. 

An additional 24 homes were affected due to a lack of “safe vehicular access.”

A statement on the City of Malibu’s website explained that all 31 properties had been marked unsafe due to “the loss of access for Fire and Sheriff’s personnel to respond to medical, fire or law enforcement emergencies.”

The city explained, “The collapse of a beachfront driveway extended into the roadway, blocking resident and emergency access.”

Despite the damage, the Ghost Rider star is attempting to save his home. 

According to Page Six, Cage filed three permits within days of the sinkhole forming. 

He requested an emergency building permit with city officials, where he was granted permission to pack sandbags against the beach and the exterior of the home for both wave protection and to prevent further coastal erosion.

Records show additional permits were also approved for asphalt debris removal related to the sinkhole in preparation for shoring installation and excavation to collect soil samples.

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