MOVIE NEWS – Nicolas Cage has embodied some of cinema’s most unpredictable and outrageous characters, but in a new interview with MovieWeb’s George Edelman about The Surfer, the Oscar-winning actor revealed his fascination with iconic literary and historical figures – including some you probably wouldn’t expect.

In recent years, Cage has been enjoying a spectacular career revival, taking on some of the boldest and most eclectic roles of his life. From playing Dracula to a deranged killer, to a pig-loving loner, and even an exaggerated version of himself, he’s become synonymous with risk-taking performances that stick in audiences’ minds. But if he could choose his dream role? Cage would dive into the world of Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo or bring to life several real-life historical icons. He explained:

“Wow, I mean, any character ever. I often said I like the Jules Verne Captain Nemo character, because I love the ocean. I think I would have a lot of fun playing that part. Famous people in history that I find inspiring, but other people have done it and done it well, but like Beethoven, that would be fascinating. Somebody in the arts that inspires me. Dostoyevsky. There’s all kinds of characters.”

With big-budget films like Renfield, Cage is clearly having fun again – and that energy is evident across many of his recent performances.

When asked whether there’s any role from his past he’d like to revisit, Cage made it clear he has no interest in redoing anything he’s already done:

“I don’t want to redo any of them. I don’t want to go backwards. I want to move forward.”

The Cage-aissance Keeps Rolling

Several actors have had a “comeback” over the last few years, but few can match Cage’s sheer output and consistent quality. In just five years, he’s appeared in over twenty films, with several more still in production.

Even more impressive is the critical acclaim he’s received. His 2021 film Pig, where he plays a truffle hunter searching for his kidnapped pig, scored 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. The following year brought The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a self-aware performance alongside Pedro Pascal, which earned 87% from both critics and audiences. More recently, he’s continued that streak with Dream Scenario (91%), Longlegs (86%), and The Surfer (86%). His upcoming Western Gunslingers, however, has stumbled out of the gate with a dismal 5% score—but hey, even a renaissance has its hiccups.

Source: MovieWeb