As Nic Cage turns 50 today (if you can believe it!), we look back at the Oscar-winning actor's diverse filmography to find challenging roles that allowed him to display his great skills in unexpected ways.
Nicolas Cage is one of Hollywood's most striking enigmas. Equal parts serious actor, leading man, comedian and general madman, Cage has had his approach to acting called into question time and time again. While admittedly the Oscar winner has become a bit of a punch line as of late (see Nic Cage as Disney Princesses), one thing he can never be accused of is being lazy. Whatever role he takes, Cage commits to the fullest extent, always delighting his true-blue fans.
To celebrate Nic's half-century, join us as we look back at 6 absurd roles made totally believable by Nicolas Cage's mastery of his craft.
Vampire's Kiss (1989)
Vampire's Kiss is one of those many movies that people hear about but never actually see. Is it one of Nic Cage's most over the top performances? Absolutely, but that's not a bad thing. Cage plays Peter Loew, a literary agent with delusions of grandeur who believes he has been turned into a Vampire after a bat flies into his apartment and attacks him. Cage's unsettling transformation from human to beast is incredible he rants, raves, torments a pretty girl from the steno pool, and even eats a live cockroach (which Cage actually did 3 times to get the scene just right). Loew is a berserk character, but Cage shines as a man driven mad by his own delusions.
City of Angels (1998)
Inspired by Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire, this film has Cage playing Seth, an angel who falls in love with Maggie, a mortal doctor (Meg Ryan) who has a penchant for pears. Cage's performance enables the audience to gradually move past the ludicrous plot and to identify with Seth as he begins to experience human emotions and feelings of pain and pleasure. Cage skillfully conveys Seth's childlike confusion, wonderment at and acceptance of his new form, and also his grief when tragedy inevitably strikes the new couple.
Next (2007)
Without a doubt, Next features one of Nic Cage's more questionable hairstyles, but his coiffe doesn't detract from his performance. In this fairly forgettable movie, Cage plays Cris Johnson, a seedy Las Vegas magician who can see two minutes into his future. While the film's preposterous premise weighs down the proceedings, Cage gamely plays the reluctant clairvoyant who is recruited by the FBI to help stop a potential nuclear attack. Using all his wiles, Cage truly sells his portrayal of a man burdened by a power that he hasn't asked for but that he is willing to use to save the world and the woman he loves (a comely Jessica Biel).
Ghost Rider (2007)
You knew this was going to be on the list. A comic book enthusiast (to put it mildly), Cage jumped at the chance to play Johnny Blaze in a big screen version of Ghost Rider. After selling his soul to cure his father's cancer, Blaze becomes a professional stunt rider by day and the bounty hunter of the damned by night. Cage's transformation into a supernatural vigilante is truly sincere and his true fans are able to accept the absurdities and enjoy the show. Should you just read the comic book? Probably, but then you'd miss Cage's fearless and fun performance as one of Marvel's most beloved icons.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Many people were quick to hate on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, but it's actually an acceptable family film starring Cage of all people. We were shocked too. Cage plays Balthazar Blake, a former apprentice of Merlin who is dedicated to keeping the evil sorceress Morgana le Fay imprisoned for the sake of humanity. While he battles his foes, he takes the bumbling NYU student Dave (a charming Jay Bauchel) under his tutelage. Cage tackles the role of a mentor and protector convincingly, blending the right amount of wisdom, humor, patience and sacrifice.
Kick-Ass (2010)
Cage brought much enthusiasm to the role of Big Daddy in Matthew Vaughn's big-screen adaptation of the beloved comic, Kick-Ass. Channeling the spirit of Adam West's Batman, Cage plays Big Daddy as a single parent with a penchant for vigilante justice, making him incredibly sympathetic for someone who might be mad. Using his powers only for good, he trains his only daughter, Hit Girl (Chloe Mortez Grave), to play with guns instead of Barbie dolls as the two take on evildoers. Kooky, dangerous and righteous in his own lunatic way, Cage's Big Daddy is unforgettable.
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
05/05/2024
A special evening performance by multiplatinum singer Becky G will provide a memorable conclusion to TeievisaUnivision's Casa Cultura upfront event on May 1...
05/05/2024
Giant media buyer Publicis is telling network sales executives that it does not think Nielsen's new panel-plus-big-data currency is ready for this upfront....
05/05/2024
WASHINGTON Glenn Kirschner, legal analyst at NBC News, blasted the media for referring to the New York trial of former President Donald Trump as a hush-money ...
05/05/2024
Catchy Comedy's weekend marathon sees The Beverly Hillbillies on the weekend of May 4-5. The event kicks off Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. ET, and runs through...
05/05/2024
NBC Sports has the 150th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 4. The coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock and the feature race at Churchill Downs in Louis...
04/05/2024
NEW YORK As the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kicks off in May, Nielsen has released an extensive new report diving into their media habits with data sh...
04/05/2024
PHILADELPHIA As National Military Appreciation Month gets underway, Comcast has announced several new initiatives to help veterans, service members, and their f...
04/05/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a tentative agenda for the May Open Commission Meeting scheduled...
04/05/2024
The Broadband Forum has announced major enhancements to key 5G convergence standards that the group said will help advance next-generation applications, improve...
04/05/2024
Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Blackmagic Design today announced that Colorist M...
04/05/2024
Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards An additional eight alums and two current students performed in nominated productions.
...
03/05/2024
An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...
03/05/2024
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...
03/05/2024
If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...
03/05/2024
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...
03/05/2024
Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...
03/05/2024
As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...
03/05/2024
NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...
03/05/2024
Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...
03/05/2024
WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
By 2032, the esports market is expec...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...
03/05/2024
Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...
03/05/2024
CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...
03/05/2024
Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....
03/05/2024
Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...
03/05/2024
Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: May 3, 2024
Enha...
03/05/2024
According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company
By Jenny Priestley
Published: M...
03/05/2024
Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...
03/05/2024
Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...
03/05/2024
Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...
03/05/2024
Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...
03/05/2024
SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...
03/05/2024
By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...
03/05/2024
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...
03/05/2024
Riedel Communications today announced that Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is relying on a media and intercom network based on Riedel technology for the renewal of...
03/05/2024
Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...
03/05/2024
Media technology innovator Limecraft will exhibit the latest updates to its online platform on stand G79 at the 15-16 May 2024 Media Production & Technology Sho...
03/05/2024
Audio interface specialist Prism Sound is partnering with console manufacturer Solid State Logic, professional monitor manufacturer PMC and acoustic panel and d...
03/05/2024
Intinor, Sweden's leading developer of products and solutions for high-quality video over the internet, is set to join forces with its UK partner Zest Techn...
03/05/2024
NAKIVO Inc., a fast-growing software company dedicated to protecting physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments, announced its Q1 2024 financial results to...
03/05/2024
Hiltron Communications announces an addition to its range of satellite communication products and systems: a field-upgradable motorisation kit specifically desi...
03/05/2024
Visit LiveU at Stand D30
With this year an exceptional one for major sporting events alongside multiple, key elections, the power and flexibility of LiveU'...
03/05/2024
Agile Content, the leader in the development of technology and solutions for the provision of television services over the Internet, announces Koldo Unanue as i...
03/05/2024
Eight co-signers representing streaming services, pay TV operators and public interest groups have sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their Committee...
03/05/2024
BOSTON Brightcove has announced that it has implemented Amazon Q Business, a new generative AI assistant on Amazon Web Services (AWS)....
03/05/2024
NEW YORK CBS has declared that it will finish the 2023-24 season as Americas Most-Watched Network in primetime for the 16th consecutive season....
As Nic Cage turns 50 today (if you can believe it!), we look back at the Oscar-winning actor's diverse filmography to find challenging roles that allowed him to display his great skills in unexpected ways. 
