Editing Nicolas Cage (section)

==Career==
===1981–1988: Early work and breakthrough===
Cage made his acting debut in the 1981 television pilot ''[[The Best of Times (1981 film)|The Best of Times]]'', which was never picked up by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref name="BestOfTimes">{{cite web |last1=Coffel |first1=Chris |title=The Tao of Nicolas Cage: The Best of Times |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-tao-of-nicolas-cage-the-best-of-times-7ef8bea4bcb3/ |website=[[Film School Rejects]] |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228221553/https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-tao-of-nicolas-cage-the-best-of-times-7ef8bea4bcb3/ |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |date=December 16, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> His film debut followed in 1982, with a minor role as an unnamed co-worker of [[Judge Reinhold]]'s character in the [[coming-of-age]] film ''[[Fast Times at Ridgemont High]]'', having originally auditioned for Reinhold's part.<ref name="Fast Times">{{cite web |author=Schutte |first=Lauren |date=February 14, 2012 |title=Nicolas Cage on Turning Down 'Dumb & Dumber,' Winning Another Oscar and the Movie that Made Him Change His Name |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicolas-cage-ghost-rider-spirit-vengence-dumb-dumber-290688 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501164752/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicolas-cage-ghost-rider-spirit-vengence-dumb-dumber-290688 |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |access-date=August 24, 2012 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> His experience on the film was marred by cast members endlessly quoting his uncle's films, which inspired him to change his name.<ref name="Fast Times" /> Cage's first starring role came opposite [[Deborah Foreman]] in the romantic comedy ''[[Valley Girl (1983 film)|Valley Girl]]'' (1983), in which he played a [[punk subculture|punk]] who falls in love with the titular [[valley girl]], a plot loosely inspired by ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''.<ref name="ValleyGirl">{{cite news |last1=Spencer |first1=Ashley |title=When 'Valley Girl' (and Nicolas Cage) Shook Up Hollywood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/movies/valley-girl.html? |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315175136/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/movies/valley-girl.html |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |date=May 11, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was a modest box office success and has been branded a [[cult classic]].<ref name="Cult">{{cite magazine |last1=Sollosi |first1=Mary |title=''Valley Girl'' is, like, a totally ironic nostalgia trip: Review |url=https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/valley-girl-musical-remake/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105024348/https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/valley-girl-musical-remake/ |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |date=May 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He auditioned for the role of Dallas Winston in his uncle's film ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]'', based on [[S.E. Hinton]]'s [[The Outsiders (novel)|novel]], but lost to [[Matt Dillon]].<ref name="yv5r9" /> Cage, however, would co-star in Coppola's adaptation of another Hinton novel, ''[[Rumble Fish]]'', in that year.<ref name="s9u79" />

In 1984, Cage appeared in three period films, none of which fared well at the box office. In the drama, ''[[Racing with the Moon]]'' (1984), Cage featured opposite [[Sean Penn]] as friends who are awaiting deployment to the [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name="RWTM">{{cite magazine |title=Racing with the Moon |url=https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/racing-with-the-moon-1200426001/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416223214/https://variety.com/1983/film/reviews/racing-with-the-moon-1200426001/ |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |date=December 31, 1983 |url-status=live}}</ref> In Coppola's crime drama ''[[The Cotton Club (film)|The Cotton Club]]'' he portrayed a fictionalized version of mob hitman [[Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll]], earning praise from critic [[Paul Attanasio]] for "artfully [using] his few moments to sketch a brawny, violent thug."<ref name="CottonClub">{{cite news |last1=Attanasio |first1=Paul |author1-link=Paul Attanasio |title='Cotton Club': Coppola's Triumph |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/12/14/cotton-club-coppolas-triumph/068c926c-9d69-4463-bc44-ec4eb1ac152c/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809180633/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/12/14/cotton-club-coppolas-triumph/068c926c-9d69-4463-bc44-ec4eb1ac152c/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |date=December 14, 1984 |url-status=live}}</ref> His final release of the year was [[Alan Parker]]'s drama ''[[Birdy (film)|Birdy]]'', in which he starred with [[Matthew Modine]]. Cage lost weight for the role and had two of his front teeth pulled out to appear disfigured.<ref name="S&S">{{cite web |last1=Dargis |first1=Manohla |author1-link=Manohla Dargis |title=The method and madness of Nicolas Cage |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/method-madness-nicolas-cage |website=[[Sight & Sound]] |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826133619/https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/method-madness-nicolas-cage |archive-date=August 26, 2021 |date=August 20, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite massively underperforming at the box office, the film, and Cage and Modine's performances, received positive reviews, with ''[[The New York Times]]'' critic [[Janet Maslin]] writing, "Mr. Cage very sympathetically captures Al's urgency and frustration. Together, these actors work miracles with what might have been unplayable."<ref name="Birdy">{{cite news |last1=Maslin |first1=Janet |author1-link=Janet Maslin |title=The Screen: Alan Parker's 'Birdy' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/21/movies/the-screen-alan-parker-s-birdy.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=April 16, 2022 |date=December 21, 1984 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719172340/https://www.nytimesvies.com/1984/12/21/movies/the-screen-alan-parker-s-birdy.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1986, Cage starred in the little-seen Canadian sports drama ''[[The Boy in Blue (1986 film)|The Boy in Blue]]'' and his uncle's fantasy comedy ''[[Peggy Sue Got Married]]'' (1986) as the husband to [[Kathleen Turner]]'s character.<ref name="Tafoya">{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/features/the-whole-parade-on-the-incomparable-career-of-nicolas-cage|title=The Whole Parade: On the Incomparable Career of Nicolas Cage|date=May 25, 2021|first=Scout|last=Tafoya|website=[[RogerEbert.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621213622/https://www.rogerebert.com/features/the-whole-parade-on-the-incomparable-career-of-nicolas-cage|archive-date=June 21, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name="d4cjN" /> He then starred in the [[Coen brothers]]' crime comedy ''[[Raising Arizona]]'' (1987) as a dim-witted ex-con.<ref name="RaisingArizona">{{cite web |last1=Westbrook |first1=Caroline |title=Raising Arizona Review |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/raising-arizona-review/ |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228221555/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a36287882/why-raising-arizona-has-the-best-opening-scene-of-any-movie/ |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |date=January 1, 2000 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cage's biggest breakthrough came in 1987 with the romantic comedy ''[[Moonstruck]]'', in which he starred alongside [[Cher]] as a hot-tempered baker.<ref name="bio" /> The film was a hit with critics and audiences alike, earning Cage a [[Golden Globe]] nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]]<ref name="Golden Globes">{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/nicolas-cage|title=Nicolas Cage|publisher=[[Golden Globe Awards]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308151042/https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/nicolas-cage|archive-date=March 8, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> In his retrospective review, [[Roger Ebert]] wrote that he felt Cage's performance was worthy of an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]].<ref name="Moonstruck">{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |author1-link=Roger Ebert |title=Moonstruck |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-moonstruck-1987 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409113023/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-moonstruck-1987 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |date=June 22, 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1989–1994: Career slump===
In 1989, Cage starred in the black comedy ''[[Vampire's Kiss]]'' as a man who falls in love with a [[vampire]] and soon begins to believe himself as a vampire. The film was a major box office flop but has developed a cult following largely due to Cage's surrealistic and over-the-top performance appearing in [[Meme|internet memes]]. Critic [[Vincent Canby]] felt the film was "dominated and destroyed by Mr. Cage's chaotic, self-indulgent performance."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/02/movies/review-film-the-woman-he-adores-it-turns-out-is-a-vampire.html|url-access=limited|title=Review/Film; The Woman He Adores, It Turns Out, Is a Vampire|date=June 2, 1989|first=Caryn|last=James|author-link=Caryn James|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624191754/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/02/movies/review-film-the-woman-he-adores-it-turns-out-is-a-vampire.html|archive-date=June 24, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> After filming the Italian drama ''[[Time to Kill (1989 film)|Time to Kill]]'' (1989) in [[Zimbabwe]], he starred in [[David Lynch]]'s romantic crime film ''[[Wild at Heart (film)|Wild at Heart]]'' (1990) with [[Laura Dern]]. Cage was drawn to the project because he was "always attracted to those passionate, almost unbridled romantic characters" and it allowed him to impersonate one of his heroes, [[Elvis Presley]], in scenes in which he sung.<ref name="bio" /><ref name="Elvis">{{cite web |last1=Whipp |first1=Glenn |title=Nicolas Cage meditates on movies, music and what makes him happy |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-01-26/nicolas-cage-on-pig-elvis-dracula-and-his-career |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413211940/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-01-26/nicolas-cage-on-pig-elvis-dracula-and-his-career |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |date=January 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Wild at Heart'' received mixed reviews upon release, despite controversially winning the [[Palme d'Or]] at the [[1990 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="festival-cannes.com">{{cite web | title=Festival de Cannes: Wild at Heart | url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/164/year/1990.html | access-date=August 7, 2009 | work=festival-cannes.com | archive-date=January 19, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119153548/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/164/year/1990.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> Cage would reunite with Lynch and Dern for the [[avant-garde]] concert performance ''[[Industrial Symphony No. 1]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/industrial-symphony-no-1/Film?oid=26323693|title=Industrial Symphony No. 1|website=[[Chicago Reader]]|date=April 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621231737/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/industrial-symphony-no-1/Film?oid=26323693|archive-date=June 21, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref>

Also in 1990, he starred as a helicopter pilot in the action film ''[[Fire Birds]]'', which was panned by critics and negatively compared to ''[[Top Gun]]'' (1986).<ref name="FireBirds">{{cite web |last1=Wilmington |first1=Michael |title=MOVIE REVIEW : 'Fire Birds' Aiming to Be 'Top Gun' With Helicopters |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-25-ca-131-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928124656/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-25-ca-131-story.html |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |date=May 25, 1990 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cage's next film, the erotic thriller ''[[Zandalee]]'' (1991), was released [[direct-to-video]] in the United States, where it did not receive a theatrical release.<ref name="Zandalee">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/nicolas-cagetastic-case-file-143-zandalee-1798217277|title=Nicolas Cagetastic Case File #143: ''Zandalee''|date=August 5, 2019|first=Nathan|last=Rabin|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621224732/https://www.avclub.com/nicolas-cagetastic-case-file-143-zandalee-1798217277|archive-date=June 21, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> His "goofy '[[everyman]]'" performance in the romantic comedy ''[[Honeymoon in Vegas]]'' (1992) garnered some positive critical notices,<ref name="HoneymoonVariety">{{cite web |last1=McBride |first1=Joseph |title=Honeymoon in Vegas |url=https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/honeymoon-in-vegas-2-1200430502/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216193114/https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/honeymoon-in-vegas-2-1200430502/ |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |date=August 20, 1992 |url-status=live}}</ref> including from Roger Ebert, who defended Cage amidst some critics finding his acting "excessive" and earned Cage his second Golden Globe nomination.<ref name="Honeymoon">{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |title=Honeymoon in Vegas |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/honeymoon-in-vegas-1992 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329175351/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/honeymoon-in-vegas-1992 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |date=August 28, 1992 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Golden Globes" /> He hosted an episode of the variety show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' to promote the film, his only time hosting the show.<ref name="SNL">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/saturday-night-live-nicolas-cage-fans-draft-petition-for-him-to-host/|title=Fans Petition for Nicolas Cage to Host ''Saturday Night Live''|date=February 17, 2015|first=Sheila Cosgrove|last=Baylis|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621231846/https://people.com/tv/saturday-night-live-nicolas-cage-fans-draft-petition-for-him-to-host/|archive-date=June 21, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref>

None of Cage's three films in 1993—''[[Deadfall (1993 film)|Deadfall]]'' (directed by his brother [[Christopher Coppola|Christopher]]), ''[[Amos & Andrew]]'' and ''[[Red Rock West]]''—performed well at the box office.<ref name="RRW">{{cite web |title=Red Rock West |date=June 16, 1993 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red_rock_west |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129193729/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red_rock_west |url-status=live }}</ref> The comedy ''[[Guarding Tess]]'' (1994) paired Cage with [[Shirley MacLaine]] as a [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agent protecting a former [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]]; however, it was dismissed as being derivative by some critics.<ref name="GuardingTess">{{cite news |last1=Howe |first1=Desson |title='Guarding Tess' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/guardingtesspg13howe_a0b038.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924172842/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/guardingtesspg13howe_a0b038.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |date=March 11, 1994 |url-status=live}}</ref> He next starred alongside [[Bridget Fonda]] in the romantic comedy ''[[It Could Happen to You (1994 film)|It Could Happen to You]]'' as a cash-strapped police officer who offers to share his lottery winnings with a waitress and then the much-criticized box office flop Christmas comedy ''[[Trapped in Paradise]]'' with the ''Saturday Night Live'' actors [[Jon Lovitz]] and [[Dana Carvey]].<ref name="TrueStory">{{cite magazine |last1=Mark |first1=Lois Alter |title=Based on a True Story |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/07/29/based-true-story-2/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123035313/http://www.ew.com/article/1994/07/29/based-true-story |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |date=July 29, 1994 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TIP">{{cite web |last1=Hicks |first1=Chris |title=Film review: Trapped in Paradise |url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/12/6/20088841/film-review-trapped-in-paradise |website=[[Deseret News]] |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010094612/https://www.deseret.com/1994/12/6/20088841/film-review-trapped-in-paradise |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |date=December 6, 1994 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Lovitz, Cage directed portions of the film because its director, [[George Gallo]], offered little direction.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rabin |first1=Nathan |author1-link=Nathan Rabin |title=My World of Flops Christmas Catastrophe Case File #169/The Travolta/Cage Project #42 Trapped in Paradise (1994) |url=https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2020/10/12/my-world-of-flops-christmas-catastrophe-case-file-169the-travoltacage-project-42-trapped-in-paradise-1994 |website=NathanRabin.com |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226163659/https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2020/10/12/my-world-of-flops-christmas-catastrophe-case-file-169the-travoltacage-project-42-trapped-in-paradise-1994 |archive-date=December 26, 2020 |date=October 12, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1995–2003: Critical success and action star===
Cage's performance as a psychopathic criminal kingpin in the crime film ''[[Kiss of Death (1995 film)|Kiss of Death]]'' (1995) was seen by many critics as the film's strong point,<ref name="KoD">{{cite news |last1=Hinson |first1=Hal |title='Kiss of Death' (R) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/kissofdeathrhinson_c011b0.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021113423/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/kissofdeathrhinson_c011b0.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |date=April 21, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> but his most acclaimed performance yet came in the drama ''[[Leaving Las Vegas]]'' as an alcoholic screenwriter who falls in love with a prostitute in [[Las Vegas]].<ref name="UPI">{{cite web |title=Nicolas Cage wins best actor Oscar |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/03/26/Nicolas-Cage-wins-best-actor-Oscar/4695827816400/ |publisher=[[United Press International]] |access-date=September 27, 2023 |date=March 26, 1996}}</ref> The role won Cage the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]]. To prepare for the part, Cage [[binge drinking|binge drank]] for two weeks and studied footage of himself.<ref name="wenn">{{cite web |date=August 9, 2000 |title=Cage Did Serious Research For Alcoholic Role |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2000-08-09#celeb5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705213238/https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2000-08-09 |archive-date=July 5, 2004 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |publisher=[[World Entertainment News Network]]}}</ref>

In 1996, he starred alongside [[Sean Connery]] and [[Ed Harris]] in [[Michael Bay]]'s ''[[The Rock (film)|The Rock]]'', the first of a string of action films for Cage. In the film, he played an [[FBI]] chemical weapons specialist breaking into [[Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary|Alcatraz]] federal prison. ''The Rock'' was a box office and critical success, with journalist [[Alexander Larman]] stating the film "launched Cage into an unexpected vocation as an offbeat action star."<ref name="Rock">{{cite web |last1=Larman |first1=Alexander |author1-link=Alexander Larman |title=First Alcatraz, then Iraq: how The Rock became Michael Bay's weapon of mass destruction |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/first-alcatraz-iraq-rock-became-michael-bays-weapon-mass-destruction/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603041734/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/first-alcatraz-iraq-rock-became-michael-bays-weapon-mass-destruction/amp/ |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |date=June 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Next, he starred in ''[[Con Air]]'' and ''[[Face/Off]]'', two commercially successful action thrillers that were both released in June 1997. Along with [[John Cusack]] and [[John Malkovich]], Cage led an [[ensemble cast]]. [[Jerry Bruckheimer]], ''Con Air''<nowiki/>'s producer, offered the role to Cage after being impressed with his performances in ''Leaving Las Vegas'' and ''The Rock''. Cage accepted despite disappointment at not being offered the villain role.<ref name="ConAir">{{cite web |last1=Larman |first1=Alexander |title='Nothing was too insane': is Con Air the strangest action film ever made? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/nothing-insane-con-air-strangest-action-film-ever-made/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712143534/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/nothing-insane-con-air-strangest-action-film-ever-made/ |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |date=June 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ebert felt Cage "[made] the wrong choice... by playing Cameron Poe as a slow-witted Elvis type who is very, very earnest and approaches every task with tunnel vision; it would have been more fun if he'd been less of a hayseed."<ref name="ConAirEbert">{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |title=Con Air |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/con-air-1997 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428141207/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/con-air-1997 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |date=June 6, 1997 |url-status=live}}</ref>  John Woo's ''Face/Off'' saw Cage and [[John Travolta]] star in [[dual roles]] as sworn enemies—a terrorist and an [[FBI agent]]—who both undergo [[face transplants]] to impersonate each other, requiring Cage and Travolta to switch characters. Both performances were praised by critics, with the [[BBC]] writing in their review "Travolta and Cage invest their dual roles with physical subtleties that reflect the other actor's character."<ref name="Face/OffBBC">{{cite web |last1=Glanville |first1=Martyn |title=Face/Off (1997) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/20/face_off_1997_review.shtml |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527203002/https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/20/face_off_1997_review.shtml |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |date=December 10, 2000 |url-status=live}}</ref>

After starring in these action films back-to-back, Cage decided to "return to more serious fare" in the romantic fantasy film ''[[City of Angels (film)|City of Angels]]'' (1998), a loose remake of the German film ''[[Wings of Desire]]'' (1987). Critics were split on the film and Cage's performance, with reviews ranging from describing him as "endlessly resourceful" and "[resembling] a serial killer more than an angel."<ref name="Levy">{{cite web |last1=Levy |first1=Emanuel |author1-link=Emanuel Levy |title=City of Angels |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/city-of-angels-2-1200453464/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511221750/https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/city-of-angels-2-1200453464/ |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |date=April 6, 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Holden">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E2D9143DF933A25757C0A96E958260 |last=Holden |first=Stephen |title=Film Review; Heaven, He's From Heaven, But His Heart Beats So . . . |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 10, 1998 |access-date=July 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808233752/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E2D9143DF933A25757C0A96E958260 |archive-date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> [[Brian De Palma]]'s thriller ''[[Snake Eyes (1998 film)|Snake Eyes]]'', his second film of 1998, starred Cage as a corrupt detective.<ref name="SnakeEyes">{{cite web |last1=McCarthy |first1=Todd |title=Snake Eyes |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/snake-eyes-2-1200454789/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019232937/https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/snake-eyes-2-1200454789/ |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |date=August 5, 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was met with mixed reviews, which were largely critical of its screenplay.<ref name="RTSnakeEyes">{{cite web |title=Snake Eyes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snake_eyes |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315052221/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snake_eyes |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Other films included [[Martin Scorsese]]'s 1999 New York City paramedic drama ''[[Bringing Out the Dead]]''<ref name="bio" /> and [[Ridley Scott]]'s 2003 black comedy crime film ''[[Matchstick Men]]'', in which he played a con artist with [[obsessive–compulsive disorder]].<ref name="oJaCk" /> Most of Cage's movies that have achieved financial success were in the action/adventure genre. These include ''The Rock'',<ref name="ROSLb" /> ''Con Air'',<ref name="IIr39" /> ''Face/Off'',<ref name="IIr39" /> and ''[[Gone in 60 Seconds (2000 film)|Gone in 60 Seconds]]'', with Cage as a retired car thief.<ref name="G60S" /> He took the lead role in the 2001 film ''[[Captain Corelli's Mandolin (film)|Captain Corelli's Mandolin]]'' and learned to play the mandolin from scratch for the part.<ref name="VzuSC" /><ref name="qPv3D" /> In 2002, he was again nominated for Oscar and Golden Globe best actor awards for his portrayal of real-life screenwriter [[Charlie Kaufman]] and Kaufman's fictional twin Donald in ''[[Adaptation (film)|Adaptation.]]''<ref name="zs0yv" /> Cage made his directorial debut in 2002 with ''[[Sonny (2002 film)|Sonny]]'', a low-budget drama starring [[James Franco]] as a male prostitute whose mother ([[Brenda Blethyn]]) serves as his pimp. Cage had a small role in the film, which received poor reviews and a short run in a limited number of theaters.<ref name="bio" /><ref name="PlstF" /> Cage's producing career includes ''[[Shadow of the Vampire]]'', the first effort from Saturn Films.<ref name="NunAn" />

===2004–2011: Franchise films===
[[File:Nicolas Cage - 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra).jpg|thumb|upright|Cage at the [[2009 Venice International Film Festival]]]]
In his second-highest-grossing film to date, ''[[National Treasure (film)|National Treasure]]'', he plays an eccentric historian who goes on a dangerous adventure to find treasure hidden by the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]].<ref name="8PQYU" /> In 2005, two films he headlined, ''[[Lord of War]]'' and ''[[The Weather Man]]'',<ref name="JkCMP" /> failed to find a significant audience despite nationwide releases and good reviews for his performances.<ref name="yUV67" /> The 2006 remake of ''[[The Wicker Man (2006 film)|The Wicker Man]]'' was very poorly reviewed, and failed to make back its $40-million budget.<ref name="9dwnq" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://substreammagazine.com/2016/09/wicker-man-throwback/|title='The Wicker Man' remake is just as ridiculous even 10 years later|last=Monson|first=Leigh|date=September 1, 2016|website=Substream Magazine|access-date=February 25, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225125914/https://substreammagazine.com/2016/09/wicker-man-throwback/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In early December 2006, Cage announced at the Bahamas International Film Festival that he planned to curtail his future acting endeavors to pursue other interests. On ''[[The Dresden Files (TV series)|The Dresden Files]]'' for the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci-Fi Channel]], Cage is listed as the executive producer.<ref name="oCe8A" /> The much-criticized ''[[Ghost Rider (2007 film)|Ghost Rider]]'' (2007), based on the [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Marvel Comics character]], fared better, earning more than $45&nbsp;million (the top earner) during its opening weekend and over $208&nbsp;million worldwide through the weekend ending on March 25, 2007.<ref name="r114G" /> Also in 2007, he had a small but notable role as the Chinese criminal mastermind [[Dr. Fu Manchu]] in [[Rob Zombie]]'s fake trailer ''Werewolf Women of the S.S.'' from the [[B movie|B-movie]] [[double feature]] ''[[Grindhouse (film)|Grindhouse]]''<ref name="SW6ey" /> and starred in ''[[Next (2007 film)|Next]]'', which shared the concept of a glimpse into an alternate timeline with Cage's film,<ref name="N05jH" /> ''[[The Family Man]]'' (2000).<ref name="Nu4Bc" />

In November 2007, Cage was spotted backstage at a ''[[Ring of Honor]]'' wrestling show in New York City researching for the lead role for ''[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|The Wrestler]]''. However, Cage dropped out of production shortly afterward because he felt that he did not have enough time to prepare for the role and director [[Darren Aronofsky]] preferred [[Mickey Rourke]] for the lead role. Rourke would go on to receive an Academy Award nomination for his performance.<ref name="sescoops" /><ref name="283M0" /> In an interview with /Film, Aronofsky said of Cage's decision to leave the film that "Nic was a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but ... you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race."<ref name="slash" />

In 2008, Cage appeared as Joe, a contract killer who undergoes a change of heart while on a work outing in Bangkok, in the film ''[[Bangkok Dangerous (2008 film)|Bangkok Dangerous]]''. The film is shot by the [[Pang Brothers]] and has a distinctly South-East Asian flavor.<ref name="NWfpj" /> In 2009, Cage starred in the science fiction thriller ''[[Knowing (film)|Knowing]]'', directed by [[Alex Proyas]]. In the film, he plays an [[MIT]] professor who examines the contents of a time capsule unearthed at his son's elementary school. Startling predictions found inside the capsule that have already come true lead him to believe that the world is going to end at the close of the week and that he and his son are somehow involved in the destruction.<ref name="UAzWN" /> The film received mixed reviews but was the box office winner on its opening weekend.<ref name="aofOf" />

Also in 2009, Cage starred in the film ''[[Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans]]'', directed by acclaimed German director [[Werner Herzog]].<ref name="4qCph" /> He portrayed a corrupt police officer with gambling, drug and alcohol addictions. The film was very well received by critics, holding a rating of 87% positive reviews on review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]].<ref name="tomato" /> Cage was lauded for his performance, with [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Phillips]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' writing "Herzog has found his ideal interpreter, a performer whose truth lies deep in the artifice of performance: ladies and gentlemen, Nicolas Cage, at his finest."<ref name="chitribune" /> This film reunited Cage with [[Eva Mendes]], who played his love interest in ''Ghost Rider''.<ref name="e2WRU" /> In 2010, Cage starred in ''[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010 film)|The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]'', in which he played the sorcerer, and the next year, headlined the period piece ''[[Season of the Witch (2011 film)|Season of the Witch]]'', as a 14th-century knight transporting a woman accused of causing the [[Black Plague]] to a monastery.<ref name="sorcerer" /> In 2011, Cage reprised his role in ''Ghost Rider's'' sequel ''[[Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance]].''<ref name="WzgFX" />

===2012–2017: Career setbacks===
[[File:Nicholas Cage(1).jpg|thumb|left|Cage at the 2011 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
In 2013, Cage was involved in many projects. Notable films including animated film ''[[The Croods]]'', in which he voiced a character named Grug Crood. ''The Croods'' received positive reviews from critics and was a box-office success grossing $585&nbsp;million against a budget of $135&nbsp;million.<ref name="Lp7Gx" /> He starred as main character in ''[[The Frozen Ground]]'', a [[Thriller film|thriller]] [[Crime film|crime]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film directed and written by Scott Walker in his [[List of directorial debuts|directorial debut]], based on the crimes of real-life Alaskan [[serial killer]] [[Robert Hansen]].<ref name="THRILL" /> The film, reunited him with Cusack, depicts an Alaskan State Trooper, played by Cage, seeking to apprehend Hansen, played by Cusack, by partnering with a young woman who escaped from Hansen's clutches. The film has received mixed reviews though Cage's performance was cited as a highlight and solid.<ref name="rottentomatoes" /><ref name="metacritic" /> He also starred in ''[[Joe (2013 film)|Joe]]'', an [[Independent film|independent]] [[crime film|crime]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed and co-produced by [[David Gordon Green]], adaptation from [[Larry Brown (author)|Larry Brown]]'s 1991 novel of the same name. In this film Nicolas Cage is a tormented man who hires a 15-year-old boy (played by [[Tye Sheridan]]) and protects him from his abusive father. The film premiered at the [[70th Venice International Film Festival]] on August 30, 2013,<ref name="ucBTb" /><ref name="b1GG8" /> with a subsequent screening at the [[2013 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref name="TIFF2013" /> It was a [[Box office bomb|box office flop]], grossing only $2.36&nbsp;million from a $4&nbsp;million budget, but received critical acclaim from critics, who praised Cage's performance and Green's direction.

The 2016 black comedy ''[[Dog Eat Dog (2016 film)|Dog Eat Dog]]'', Cage's second film with [[Paul Schrader]], reunited him with [[Willem Dafoe]] (after ''[[Wild at Heart (film)|Wild at Heart]]'') as a pair of ex-convicts hired to kidnap a baby.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Debruge |first1=Peter |title=Cannes Film Review: 'Dog Eat Dog' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/dog-eat-dog-review-cannes-1201779495/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=June 25, 2018 |date=May 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625185210/https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/dog-eat-dog-review-cannes-1201779495/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film had its premiere as the closing entry for the [[Directors' Fortnight]] section at the [[2016 Cannes Film Festival]] on May 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/dog-eat-dog-willem-dafoe-video-paul-schrader-1201755927/|title=Willem Dafoe's Loose Cannon Crook in Paul Schrader's 'Dog Eat Dog' – Cannes Video|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=May 14, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516185700/https://deadline.com/2016/05/dog-eat-dog-willem-dafoe-video-paul-schrader-1201755927/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on November 4, 2016, in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/09/dog-eat-dog-trailer-nicolas-cage-willem-dafoe-paul-schrader-2-1201730596/|title='Dog Eat Dog' Trailer: Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe Go Wild In Paul Schrader's Crazy Heist Thriller—Watch|website=[[IndieWire]]|first=Kate|last=Erbland|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=May 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516185704/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/09/dog-eat-dog-trailer-nicolas-cage-willem-dafoe-paul-schrader-2-1201730596/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film four out of five stars, writing, "It's the right director for the right project and the result is Schrader's best for years: a lairy, nasty, tasty crime thriller built on black-comic chaos."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/20/dog-eat-dog-review-willem-dafoe-paul-schrader-ed-bunker-cannes|title=Dog Eat Dog review – Willem Dafoe is magnificently needy in Paul Schrader's tasty thriller|website=[[The Guardian]]|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229131720/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/20/dog-eat-dog-review-willem-dafoe-paul-schrader-ed-bunker-cannes|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote, "A rare film to have been shot in Cleveland, ''Dog Eat Dog'' definitely looks like it was shot on the cheap but puts what it needs to up on the screen with vigor and wit."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dog-eat-dog-cannes-review-896012/|title='Dog Eat Dog': Cannes Review|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2019|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518134750/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dog-eat-dog-cannes-review-896012/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cage starred alongside [[Selma Blair]] and [[Anne Winters (actress)|Anne Winters]] in [[Brian Taylor (filmmaker)|Brian Taylor]]'s horror [[comedy film]], ''[[Mom and Dad (2017 film)|Mom and Dad]]'',<ref name="rbDiE" /> which premiered in the Midnight Madness section at the [[2017 Toronto International Film Festival]]. It was released in theaters on January 19, 2018,<ref name="SfLOd" /><ref name="TwUPh" /> and received positive reviews from critics, with [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]] defining his performance as "over-the-top."<ref name="FPMRU" /> Director [[John Waters]] appreciated the film, naming ''Mom and Dad'' as one of the best movies of 2018, placing it fourth on his personal top list.<ref name="oFVaJ" />

=== 2018–present: Critical resurgence ===
[[File:Festival de cinema de Sitges 2018 (30240292207).jpg|thumb|Cage at the 2018 [[Sitges Film Festival]]]]
In 2018, Cage starred in the action thriller film ''[[Mandy (2018 film)|Mandy]]'',<ref name="deadline1" /> which premiered on January 19 at the [[2018 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref name="uTHv0" /> Nick Allen of [[RogerEbert.com]] praised the movie, writing that "for all of the endless feral performances that Cage has given, in movies good, bad and forgettable, Cosmatos' style-driven, '80s-tastic passion for weird worlds and characters takes full advantage of Cage's greatness, and then some."<ref name="XA6qF" /> In October, ''Mandy'''s producer [[Elijah Wood]] announced his intention to size up an Oscar campaign for Nicolas Cage and for composer [[Jóhann Jóhannsson]] (who died in February of that year)<ref>{{cite web|url = https://variety.com/2018/film/columns/johann-johannsson-cinema-soundscape-1202694619/|title = How Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson Helped Change the Genre Cinema Soundscape|last = Debruge|first = Peter|date = February 10, 2018|work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date = March 6, 2018|archive-date = February 11, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180211020515/http://variety.com/2018/film/columns/johann-johannsson-cinema-soundscape-1202694619/|url-status = live}}</ref> but the film was disqualified because it was also released on Video On Demand on September 14.<ref name="mUi3M" /><ref name="ifioj" /><ref name="yxAGq" /><ref name="Ghppy" />

Later that year, Cage voiced [[Superman|Clark Kent / Superman]] in the animated film ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]''. He had originally been slated to portray Superman in [[Tim Burton]]'s canceled Superman film, ''[[Superman in film#Superman Lives|Superman Lives]]'', in the 1990s.<ref name="JusticeLeague" /> He voiced an alternate [[Monochrome painting|monochromatic]] [[Marvel Noir|1930s universe]] version of [[Spider-Man Noir|Peter Parker / Spider-Man Noir]] in ''[[Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]]'' (2018). Cage based his vocal performance on films of [[Humphrey Bogart]], [[James Cagney]], and [[Edward G. Robinson]].<ref name="uJYMs" /> On January 28, 2019, Viktor and Irina Yelchin premiered a documentary about their son [[Anton Yelchin]], ''[[Love, Antosha]]'', at the [[2019 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref name="QcKS0" /> The documentary was directed by Garret Price and contains various interviews with some of Anton's friends and collaborators such as [[Kristen Stewart]], [[J. J. Abrams]], [[Chris Pine]], [[Jennifer Lawrence]], [[Jodie Foster]], [[John Cho]] and [[Martin Landau]]. Cage starred as the Narrator of the film, reading various Anton's writings.<ref name="SKdF2" />

In December 2018, it was announced that Cage had signed to play the lead role for [[Richard Stanley (director)|Richard Stanley]]'s [[Color Out of Space (film)|''Color Out of Space'']], based on the short story "[[The Colour Out of Space]]" by [[H. P. Lovecraft]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Naderzad |first=Ali |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Richard Stanley is back in the saddle again, will direct 'Color out of space,' starring Nicolas Cage |url=https://screencomment.com/2019/01/stanley-color-space |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225083416/https://screencomment.com/2019/01/stanley-color-space/ |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2020 |publisher=Screen Comment}}</ref> This was Stanley's first feature film directed since his firing from ''[[The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996 film)|The Island of Dr. Moreau]]'' (1996).<ref>{{cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=January 25, 2019 |title=Nicolas Cage Nabs Lead in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Color Out of Space' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicolas-cage-nabs-lead-sci-fi-thriller-color-space-1178325 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308091332/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nicolas-cage-nabs-lead-sci-fi-thriller-color-space-1178325 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2020 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> ''Color Out of Space'' premiered on September 7, 2019, in the Midnight Madness portion of the [[2019 Toronto International Film Festival]], where Cage was awarded for his role with the Creative Coalition's Spotlight Initiative Award.<ref>[https://www.screendaily.com/news/toronto-unveils-midnight-madness-discovery-tiff-docs-cinematheque/5141816.article "Toronto unveils Midnight Madness, Discovery, TIFF Docs, Cinematheque"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808142937/https://www.screendaily.com/news/toronto-unveils-midnight-madness-discovery-tiff-docs-cinematheque/5141816.article |date=August 8, 2019 }}. ''[[Screen Daily]]'', August 8, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/toronto-nicolas-cage-tells-spotlight-initiative-awards-art-is-healthiest-medicine-1237946/|title=Toronto: Nicolas Cage Tells Spotlight Initiative Awards Art Is "Healthiest Medicine"|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Christos|last=Tsirbas|date=September 8, 2019|access-date=February 5, 2022|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205071917/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/toronto-nicolas-cage-tells-spotlight-initiative-awards-art-is-healthiest-medicine-1237946/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following select preview screenings on January 22, the film was released in 81 theaters in the United States on January 24, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/color-out-of-space-trailer-nicolas-cage-hp-lovecraft-1202187736/|title='Color Out of Space' Trailer: Nicolas Cage Tackles H.P. Lovecraft in Trippy Alien Invasion Thriller|work=[[IndieWire]]|first=Kate|last=Erbland|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=November 22, 2019|archive-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108085639/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/color-out-of-space-trailer-nicolas-cage-hp-lovecraft-1202187736/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2018, it was announced that [[Sion Sono]] was working on his first overseas production and English-language debut, ''[[Prisoners of the Ghostland]]'', starring Nicolas Cage. Cage said the film "might be the wildest movie I've ever made."<ref name="CagePlot">{{Cite web |last=Nordine |first=Michael |date=December 14, 2018 |title=Nicolas Cage Calls 'Prisoners of the Ghostland' 'The Wildest Movie I've Ever Made' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/nicolas-cage-prisoners-of-the-ghostland-sion-sono-1202028122/ |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=[[IndieWire]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209042033/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/nicolas-cage-prisoners-of-the-ghostland-sion-sono-1202028122/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its plot revolves around a notorious criminal, Hero (played by Cage), who is sent to rescue the governor's adopted granddaughter, who has disappeared into a dark region called Ghostland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3644794/new-nic-cage-obsession-may-end-sion-sonos-action-horror-movie-prisoners-ghostland-images/ |title=Your New Nic Cage Obsession May End Up Being Sion Sono's Action-Horror Movie 'Prisoners of the Ghostland' |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |last=Squires |first=John |date=December 14, 2020 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218044251/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3644794/new-nic-cage-obsession-may-end-sion-sonos-action-horror-movie-prisoners-ghostland-images/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film had its world premiere at the [[2021 Sundance Film Festival]] on January 31, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/sundance-film-festival-announces-2021-lineup-1234854059/|title=Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|first=Peter|last=Debruge|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194411/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/sundance-film-festival-announces-2021-lineup-1234854059/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2020, it was announced that Cage would be playing the role of [[Joe Exotic]] in a scripted eight-episode ''Tiger King'' series, written and executive produced by [[Dan Lagana]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=May 4, 2020 |title=Nicolas Cage to play Joe Exotic in Tiger King miniseries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/04/nicolas-cage-joe-exotic-tiger-king-miniseries |access-date=July 10, 2020 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716192432/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/04/nicolas-cage-joe-exotic-tiger-king-miniseries |url-status=live }}</ref> It was announced that the project was scrapped in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 14, 2021|title=Nicolas Cage's Tiger King TV drama scrapped by Amazon|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57833090|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204204531/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57833090|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, it was confirmed that Nicolas Cage would reprise his role as Grug in ''[[The Croods: A New Age]]'', which was released in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |date=September 9, 2013 |title=Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone Confirmed for The Croods 2 |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/108718-nicolas-cage-ryan-reynolds-and-emma-stone-confirmed-for-the-croods-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422033120/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=108718 |archive-date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=[[ComingSoon.net]]}}</ref>

Cage produced and starred in the 2021 film ''[[Pig (2021 film)|Pig]]'', where he plays Robin "Rob" Feld, a former chef turned reclusive [[truffle]]-forager who must return to his past in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] in search of his beloved foraging [[Truffle hog|pig]] after she is kidnapped. Cage received critical acclaim for his performance and earned a second nomination for the [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roeper|first=Richard|date=July 14, 2021|title='Pig': Nicolas Cage skips the hamminess in an elegant story of pain and purpose|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2021/7/14/22577182/pig-review-nicolas-cage-movie-alex-wolff-truffle-adam-arkin|access-date=July 19, 2021|website=Chicago Sun-Times|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914105221/https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2021/7/14/22577182/pig-review-nicolas-cage-movie-alex-wolff-truffle-adam-arkin|url-status=live}}</ref> He gained further acclaim for portraying a fictionalized version of himself in the 2022 action comedy film ''[[The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent]]'' as well as for his portrayal of Paul, a professor who begins appearing in the dreams of others, in the 2023 ''[[Dream Scenario]]'', resulting in his fifth Golden Globe nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/nicolas-cages-unbearable-weight-gets-rare-perfect-rotten-tomatoes-score/|title=Nicolas Cage's 'Unbearable Weight' Gets Rare Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score|work=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]|date=March 16, 2022|accessdate=April 23, 2022|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319100218/https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/nicolas-cages-unbearable-weight-gets-rare-perfect-rotten-tomatoes-score/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McArdle |first=Tommy |date=January 7, 2024 |title=Nicolas Cage Celebrates His 'Surrealist' Birthday with Wife Riko Shibata at the 2024 Golden Globes |url=https://people.com/golden-globes-2024-nicolas-cage-celebrates-his-birthday-with-wife-rico-shibata-8423315 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Peoplemag}}</ref>

In the 2023 horror comedy film ''[[Renfield (film)|Renfield]],'' inspired by the 1897 [[Bram Stoker]] novel ''[[Dracula]]'', Cage portrays [[Dracula]] opposite [[Nicholas Hoult]]'s [[Renfield]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Nicolas Cage Really Sunk His Teeth Into Dracula In 'Renfield' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2023/04/14/nicolas-cage-really-sunk-his-teeth-into-dracula-in-renfield/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Forbes}}</ref> Also in 2023, Cage was included as a playable character in the horror video game ''[[Dead by Daylight]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=May 17, 2023 |title=Nicolas Cage Is Playing Himself in Dead by Daylight |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nicolas-cage-is-playing-himself-in-dead-by-daylight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109183904/https://www.ign.com/articles/nicolas-cage-is-playing-himself-in-dead-by-daylight |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=July 5, 2023 |title=Dead by Daylight adds Nicolas Cage as a playable Survivor |url=https://www.polygon.com/23784793/dead-by-daylight-nicolas-cage-dlc-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222220657/https://www.polygon.com/23784793/dead-by-daylight-nicolas-cage-dlc-release-date |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> Cage reprised his role as [[Superman|Clark Kent / Superman]] in the 2023 film ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' in a cameo appearance as an alternate version of the superhero.<ref name="Cage">{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=May 24, 2023 |title='The Flash' Director Just Announced the Movie's Most Shocking Cameo That's Decades in the Making |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524140320/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Cage shot his scenes through [[volumetric capture]] and CGI was used to [[De-aging in motion pictures|de-age]] him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polowy |first=Kevin |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Nicolas Cage says his Superman cameo in 'The Flash' looked nothing like what he filmed, calls AI 'inhumane' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/nicolas-cage-criticism-superman-cameo-in-the-flash-ai-211519944.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=Yahoo Entertainment}}</ref>

In early 2023, it was announced Cage was set to play a live action version of [[Spider-Man Noir|Peter Parker / Spider-Man Noir]] on [[Amazon Prime Video]]. The show would take place in an alternate 1930s New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bergeson |first1=Samantha |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Spider-Man Noir Live-Action Series Confirmed at Amazon, Set in 1930s New York City |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/spider-man-noir-live-action-series-amazon-prime-video-1234808306/ |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=Indie Wire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Welk |first1=Brian |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Nicolas Cage to Star in Spider-Man Noir Live-Action Series at Amazon |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/nicolas-cage-spider-man-noir-live-action-series-amazon-1235004254/ |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=Indie Wire}}</ref> In July 2024, the show was confirmed to be titled ''[[Spider-Noir]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Spider-Man Noir Series at Amazon, MGM+ Casts Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/spider-man-noir-series-amazon-nicolas-cage-cast-lamorne-morris-robbie-robertson-1236063341/ |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref> Filming began in September 2024 in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Sartaj |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man Series 'Noir' Begins Filming in LA in September |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/noir-filming/ |access-date=July 10, 2024 |website=TheCinemaholic}}</ref> Also in July, Cage starred as the titular serial killer in the horror thriller film ''[[Longlegs]]'', which he produced.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lattanzio |first=Ryan |date=June 24, 2024 |title='Longlegs' Director Oz Perkins Says the Wild Marketing Campaign Is All Neon: 'I Would Be a Jackass to Take Too Much Credit' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/longlegs-marketing-osgood-perkins-1235019292/ |accessdate=July 12, 2024 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref>