Nicolas Cage Reveals the Film That Helped Him Overcome His Biggest Fear

Nicolas Cage has built a career on being unpredictable, moving effortlessly from the quiet intensity of Leaving Las Vegas to the wild energy of Con Air. Whether he is winning an Academy Award or starring in a cult classic, he is known for committing fully to every role he takes on. This dedication often means he has to confront his own personal discomforts just to give the audience a performance they will never forget.

In the 1989 film Vampire’s Kiss, Cage played a man who slowly loses his mind and begins to believe he is a vampire. To show the character’s descent into madness, the script originally suggested that he should suck on a raw egg. However, Cage felt that wasn’t intense enough and wanted to do something that truly terrified him.

The director of the film, Robert Bierman, remembered Cage explaining that the thing I hate most in the world are cockroaches and suggesting that he eat one instead. Bierman loved the idea and had his crew find several large insects for the scene. Cage later explained that he really wanted to do something that would shock the audience so they would have a memory of the film that would stay with them forever.

As of this year, the actor is enjoying a massive resurgence in his career following the success of the horror hit Longlegs. He is currently preparing for one of his most unique projects yet, a live-action series called Spider-Noir. In this show, which is set to premiere on Prime Video later this year, he plays an aging, down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York who also happens to be a superhero.

Aside from his work as a detective in the shadows, Cage has also been busy filming a major biographical film titled Madden. In this project, he underwent a massive physical transformation to play the legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden. The film is directed by David O. Russell and is expected to be a major contender during the awards season.

Cage is also set to return to one of his most famous roles in Lords of War, a sequel to his 2005 film Lord of War. In this new chapter, he reprises his role as arms dealer Yuri Orlov and stars alongside Bill Skarsgård, who plays his long-lost son. Between his work in prestige dramas and his return to big-budget action, he remains one of the most prolific and hardworking actors in Hollywood today.

Do you think Nicolas Cage’s commitment to doing his own stunts is what makes him such a legendary figure in modern cinema? Share your thoughts in the comments.