Why Nicolas Cage’s ex is suing both the actor and their 34-year-old son

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Christina Fulton is suing her 34-year-old son, Weston Coppola Cage, over an alleged physical assault that occurred in April 2024. Also in the lawsuit is Weston’s dad, actor Nicolas Cage, whom Fulton dated from 1988 to 1991.

Documents obtained by People on February 19 reveal that Fulton, 57, alleges that her famous ex enabled their son by ignoring signs of possible mental health concerns — as well as drinking alcohol with Weston and bailing him out of jail on several occasions. Fulton is suing Weston for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and Nicolas, 61, for negligent supervision and negligent undertaking. Both are being sued for negligence.

“Weston has a long history of mental and psychological disorder and a history of committing violent assault and battery and harming numerous individuals,” states the lawsuit, per People, which was filed in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County. “Nicolas has been aware of Weston’s history and nevertheless failed to take action to prevent Weston from committing acts of violence and harming others.”

The alleged physical assault occurred in Weston’s West Hollywood condo building (in the elevator, lobby and parking lot) on April 28, 2024, and led to the father of four’s arrest two months later on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on bond. Fulton initially released a statement that her only child was having a “mental health crisis,” but released a second statement after his arrest, saying she was “brutally assaulted” and again begging for him to receive help.

“Nicolas knew or should have known that Weston posed a serious and imminent danger to others, including Plaintiff, based on his documented history of violent assaults, substance abuse, and mental instability,” the lawsuit alleges of the Con Air action star.

The National Treasure actor, however, vehemently denied these claims in a statement to People via his attorney.

“The allegations by Christina Fulton against Nicolas Cage are absurd and frivolous…Weston Coppola is a 34-year-old man. Mr. Cage does not control Weston’s behavior in any manner and is not responsible for Weston’s alleged assault of his mother,” read the statement.

It is not yet clear how much Fulton is suing for, but the lawsuit alleges she suffered a brain concussion, multiple contusions, an eye injury, dental trauma, PTSD and psychological damages — as well as costing the actress a Netflix series she was unable to complete after the alleged assault.

Weston has two half-siblings on his dad’s side: August, 2, Nicolas’ daughter with his wife of four years, Riko Shibata; and Kal-El, 19, Nicolas’ son with ex-wife Alice Kim. While Fulton never married, her son has been married and divorced three times and Shibata is Nicolas’ fifth wife.

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.