Nicolas Cage.Photo: JC Olivera/Getty
Nicolas Cagewould prefer he not be described as an “actor.”
ThePigstar, 57, spoke about his preference — and his extensive career — while onVariety’s Awards Circuitpodcast this week.
“For me it always implies, ‘Oh, he’s a great actor, therefore he’s a great liar,’ " Cage said. “So with the risk of sounding like a pretentious a–hole, I like the word ‘thespian’ because thespian means you’re going into your heart, or you’re going into your imagination, or your memories or your dreams, and you’re bringing something back to communicate with the audience.”
Cage is currently getting rave reviews for his performance inPig, in which he plays Rob, a former chef who hunts truffles with his pig companion. When the pig is kidnapped, Rob goes on a rescue mission to retrieve her.
He added, “And that’s why he’s not just Michael. He’s Archangel Michael. This wouldn’t be happening if he didn’t have the open mind to say, ‘Come with me.’ "
Cage has experienced a new resurgence in his career. The thespian will star in the upcoming filmThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talentas a version of himself.
Pedro Pascal and Nicolas Cage inThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate
The film also starsTiffany Haddish, Sharon Horgan, Neil Patrick Harris, Ike Barinholtz and Lily Sheen — the daughter of Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen.
“[‘Nic Cage’] is an invented version of Nic Cage. The character is feeling unfulfilled and contending with the rejection that can happen so often in the small town that is Hollywood. It’s not me. I’m feeling pretty good about things,” Cage, 57, toldEntertainment Weekly.
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Back in September, Cage toldColliderthat heis “never going to see” the movie. He explained, “I’m told it’s a good movie. My manager Mike Nilon, who is also a producer on it, looked at it. He was very happy. I’m told the audience loved the movie. But it’s just too much of a whacked-out trip for me to go to a movie theater and watch me play Tom Gormican’s highly-neurotic, anxiety-ridden version of me.”
“I said ‘Tom, that’s not really me. I’m really [made of] quiet, meditative, thoughtful moments. I’m not this neurotic, high-strung, anxiety-ridden guy all the time.’ But he said, ‘Well, neurotic Cage is the best Cage,’ " the actor recalled. “I said, ‘Okay, okay. Let’s go, man. I’ll do what you want.’ I won’t see it. But I do hope you enjoy it.”
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talentis out April 22.
source: people.com
