Nicolas Cage, the Academy Award-winning actor, recently shared insights into his career choices and new role during the premiere of *Spider-Noir* at Regal Times Square in New York City. Despite a longstanding reputation for embracing diverse characters, he revealed that he had initially passed up a chance to portray a major comic book villain—Green Goblin—in 2002’s *Spider-Man*. Instead, Cage opted for a part in the critically acclaimed film *Adaptation*, which earned him an Oscar nomination.
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In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Cage reflected on his journey through various heroic and villainous roles. The actor affirmed his enjoyment of both types of characters, stating, “I like both. I think they’re both important parts of cinema. I would not want to get trapped into doing one thing.” This philosophy has been evident throughout his extensive filmography, which features an array of complex figures.
Having had discussions with director Sam Raimi about the possibility of playing Green Goblin, Cage feels that his decision to take on *Adaptation* was the right one at that time. He expressed his admiration for the Spider-Man franchise, recalling, “I remember saying to Sam, ‘I hope whoever you cast really embraces the arachnid body language, at least for one moment. Alone in his apartment, he’s crawling on the ceiling or something.” Ultimately, the role of Green Goblin was awarded to Willem Dafoe, while Tobey Maguire took on the iconic role of Spider-Man.
Cage’s career went on to include a turn as the titular character in the 2007 film *Ghost Rider* and its sequel, further cementing his versatility within the superhero genre. Recently, he performed the role of an unrecognisable serial killer in the upcoming film *Longlegs* and embraced a unique characterisation as Nicky Cage in *The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent*.
In *Spider-Noir*, Cage takes on the role of Ben Reilly, a private investigator in 1930s New York City who possesses spider-like abilities. This character is a significant departure from his previous roles, and Cage had previously voiced the Spider character in *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse*. However, *Spider-Noir* is distinct from those films, drawing from the *Spider-Man Noir* comic series that first appeared in 2008, according to Marvel publications.
Alongside Cage, the series features talents including Lamorne Morris, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Brendan Gleeson, and Jack Huston. In *Spider-Noir*, the storyline centres around Ben grappling with the aftermath of a personal tragedy, standing as the city’s lone superhero.
Discussing his creative process, Cage revealed that he aimed to merge the iconic characteristics of classic actors such as James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart with Stan Lee’s Spider-Man narrative. He noted his intention to infuse the performance with an artistic flair reminiscent of pop-art styles, making particular reference to visual aesthetics in film noir.
In a previous interview with Esquire, Cage described his character as combining 70 per cent Bogart with 30 per cent Bugs Bunny, underscoring his innovative approach to character development. The actor did not shy away from the physical demands of his new role, mentioning that he engaged in stunts that heightened his adrenaline, including extensive wire work—an expected element for a character that swings through the air.
Furthermore, *Spider-Noir* is set to be released in two viewing formats: “Authentic Black & White” and “True-Hue Full Colour.” Cage remarked on the merits of both, explaining, “The colour is super saturated and gorgeous.” He expressed a desire for younger audiences to experience the film in both formats, encouraging them to explore cinema’s earlier black-and-white works as an art form.
Following the release of *Spider-Noir*, which premieres on MGM+ on May 25 and on Prime Video on May 27, Cage is also gearing up for another high-profile project. He will star as John Madden alongside Christian Bale in an upcoming biopic that chronicles Madden’s remarkable career in football and his pivotal role in establishing the iconic Madden NFL video game series.
With a dynamic career that continues to evolve, Cage remains an influential figure in both film and pop culture, adeptly navigating the complex landscape of cinematic storytelling. His latest roles exemplify his enduring passion for the craft and his commitment to presenting varied characters to audiences worldwide.