Nicolas Cage has nothing against the cinematic entertainment of the MCU. He just doesn’t need the Marvel universe. And that’s despite the fact that he once stole his name from a Marvel character.
Nicolas Cage is a brand in his own right. Nicolas Cage himself knows that. In an interview, the actor took a stand on the current cinematic situation and clarified the question of his future involvement in the MCU. Also, would you have known that the star owes his name to a Marvel character?
Nicolas Cage doesn’t need the MCU, but he doesn’t mind it, either
In an interview, Nicolas Cage revealed his stance on the current blockbuster cinematic landscape full of MCU movies, where small and mid-sized films seem to have less and less chance of success:
I understand the frustration. I really do. But I think there’s plenty of room for everyone. I see films like Tár. I see a lot of artistic and independently driven films. I think there’s enough room for everyone.
Plus, the star of films like The Rock, In the Body of the Enemy and the indie hit Pig (currently on Amazon Prime *) doesn’t mind Marvel entertainment for a very specific reason:
I have to be nice to Marvel movies, because I named myself after the Stan Lee character Luke Cage. Am I supposed to put down Marvel movies? Stan Lee is my surrealist father. He named me.
Nicolas Cage is Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew and his real name is actually Nicolas Kim Coppola. However, his artist (after)name borrowed from Marvel’s Luke Cage (streaming at Disney+ *) is now a title that stands on its own. Also opposite the MCU, finds the star:
I do not need the MCU. I am Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage himself already embodied a Marvel superhero in Ghost Rider and Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance over 10 years ago, albeit outside the interconnected films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What are Nicolas Cage’s current projects outside of Marvel?
Nicolas Cage was last seen in theaters with The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal in Massive Talent. He will make his next theatrical appearance in theatres on 14 April 2023: When he takes on the role of the vampire Count Dracula in the horror comedy Renfield.
Nicolas Cage will also play a shady cab passenger in the action thriller Sympathy for the Devil this year, with the film’s description reminiscent of Tom Cruise’s Collateral.
