We might be seeing the last of Nicolas Cage soon. At least, if Nicolas Cage is to be believed.
In Puerto Rico to promote his newest film, “Primal,” Cage confessed that he only has “three or four more years” of acting left in him. After that, the Academy Award-winning actor will be gracing the silver screen (or, these days, the direct-to-VOD market) no more. But Cage won’t be leaving Hollywood, nor will he be pursuing any other creative endeavors outside of filmmaking like, say, painting or full-time podcasting (though can you imagine what a Nicolas Cage podcast would be like? Imagine…). Rather, Complex reports that Cage will be sticking around behind-the-scenes primarily as a producer and director, and he’ll focus all his manic energy into those pursuits full-time instead of acting.
“Directing is something I look forward to down the road,” Cage admits. “Right now, I’m primarily a film performer and I’m gonna continue doing that for three or four more years and I’d like to focus more on directing.”
Nicolas Cage continues by saying that his production company, Saturn Films, is involved in all his movies moving forward, and they will be more heavily involved in the next phase of Cage’s career. So, while the star hasn’t given up acting just yet, his days are seemingly numbered. At the rate a new Cage film is released, we reckon he has 45 more movies left in him before he decides enough is enough. Then, if the actor is telling the truth, there will be no more movies starring Nicolas Cage coming to theaters…err…Redbox machines near you.
Nicolas Cage won an Oscar for his role in “Leaving Las Vegas”
Cheer if you’re fool-hearted, but if you’re like me and you love to watch Nicolas Cage in anything — great or terrible — this is a sad, sad day. And if I might be so bold, I humbly plead that Nicolas Cage continues his dedication to acting.
It’s understandable that Nicolas Cage would want to move on. With close to 40 years of acting experience under his belt, Nicolas Cage is a true thespian. He has appeared in nearly 100 projects, and you would be forgiven if you thought he appeared in twice as many productions. He has worked in comedy, drama, action, sci-fi, horror, romantic comedies, arthouse pictures, animated kids films — you name it, Cage has done it. And minus some noteworthy exceptions, Nicolas Cage has given himself wholly and completely to nearly every movie under his resume. The man is among the most dedicated and hardworking performers in show business; you would be hard-pressed to find many actors who give themselves so extremely to their craft. While the output doesn’t always match his commitment, Cage soldiers on anyway. He lends himself entirely to the vision of his directors, and when he is in the right hands, he is easily among the most stunning working actors in Hollywood. He not only has range but he has zest, invigoration, vibrato. Nic Cage is a true performer, constantly willing to let himself go to give his movies the invigoration they need.
As someone who once took a sacred vow to see each and every movie Nicolas Cage ever starred in, I have sat through more than my fair share of his movies. I’ll admit, most of them are not very good. In fact, a handful of them are downright terrible. I don’t need to point out any in particular. You’ve likely seen a few of them yourselves. But Nic Cage is one of the most charismatic and stunningly present actors in filmmaking history. He is gifted with the fine art of owning the moment and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) craft of giving no fucks. In the right roles and the right movies, Nic Cage is truly a beautiful thing to behold.
This scene from John Woo’s “Face/Off” needs to be seen to be believed…
Now, it’s natural for actors to get into directing — particularly of late. Cage has already made his directorial debut with 2002’s overlooked “Sonny.” We already have a taste of what he will be like as a filmmaker, and if that debut movie gives us a proper indication of what’s to come from director Nicolas Cage, we will be sorely disappointed. “Sonny” is not only a poor film but also a deathly boring one. It lacks the pulpy, vibrant liveliness that Cage brings to the forefront as an actor. Until he appears in the movie’s final moments, in a role that remains one of his wildest (and that’s saying something…), Cage’s only directorial project to date is deeply dull and shockingly inactive. It is the exact opposite of what we love about Nic Cage, the actor. Love or hate him, you remember Nicolas Cage’s performances. They leave an impression.
As far as we’ve seen so far, Nicolas Cage hasn’t translated that same passion and persistence into his work as a director. That is, of course, subject to change — especially depending on what films he decides to direct in the future. But there’s no denying that whatever he brings to the table as a director will likely lack the spark that burns in his eyes as an actor. There are very few actors who really, truly throw themselves into the fire as an actor. Nicolas Cage is one of those actors. To lose that for movies as unremarkable and bland as Sonny would be downright tragic, in my view.
But I get it. It must be hard to be Nicolas Cage. The actor, once respected as one of the most original and brilliant actors of his time, has become a walking punchline in our meme era. Nicolas Cage is, of course, partially to blame. His hammy role in “The Wicker Man,” for instance, is always worth an easy chuckle, and it’s easy to take his work in “Face/Off” out of John Woo’s over-the-top context and laugh at its sheer absurdity for all the right and wrong reasons. While Nic Cage claims he holds no regrets in his career, you know that all those knocks must be eating away at him, if little-by-little. All the cracks about his overacting. All the jokes about his hair. They’ll get to anyone, even someone with seemingly pretty thick skin like Nic Cage.
Nicolas Cage recently starred in ‘USS Indianapolis.’ Yeah, I didn’t see it either…
It’s understandable if he doesn’t want to keep pushing himself out in the limelight, especially at such a rapid rate like he does. And there’s a good chance that you haven’t even seen the last five or ten movies Nicolas Cage has appeared in, let alone heard about them. Even film buffs might be caught off-guard by a few. Do you know about “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage,” for instance? Even I haven’t seen that. What about “The Humanity Bureau?” Ring any bells? “Inconceivable?” “Looking Glass?” “Vengeance: A Love Story?” These are all real movies, and they haven’t given Nicolas Cage the same reputation he earned when he worked with Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Spike Jonze and the Coen Brothers. But the man can still bring it. “Mom and Dad” isn’t necessarily a perfect film, but it’s madly entertaining, and it features Nic Cage at fever pitch levels of lunacy. Even if you’ve seen Nic Cage in pure cray cray mode, you haven’t seen him this ludicrous in ages.
Nicolas Cage is a wild and unpredictable man. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. So it’s entirely possible that Cage will backpedal from these comments and continue his luxurious/less-than luxurious acting career. I sure hope that’s the case. But if this is truly the end for Nicolas Cage, the actor, then he’ll be sorely missed — at least by me, and by people like me who worship at the altar of his craziness. He is a one of a kind actor, and there will be no replacements worthy or fitting enough to take his place.
With that in mind, if you are somehow reading this, Nicolas Cage, I hope you reconsider. Even if you don’t act as often and you focus on directing more, the mad world still needs your insanity. Don’t deprive it from us, I humbly ask of you.