Few figures have managed to navigate the tides with as much vigor and resilience as the enigmaticNicolas Cage. Spanning various genres and leaving a lasting mark in each, Cage has transformed into a figure of intrigue and oftentimes, the centerpiece of the internet’s humorous creativity. As the man who never fails to surprise us gears up for his latest endeavor, a new comedy titledDream Scenario, he unpacks the unique motivation behind taking up the role of the disheveled professor Paul Matthews: a phenomenon he refers to as his “memeification”.
A term not unfamiliar in this digital age, “memeification” refers to the transformation of a person, phenomenon, or thing into a meme - a unit of cultural information that spreads virally. This is precisely what happened to Cage over the years, as clips from his past works includingVampire’s Kiss,The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and others found a second life as popular internet memes. These snippets, often showcasing Cage’s animated emotional outbursts from films likeDeadfallandFace/Off, seemed to amalgamate and spearhead a new, unprecedented chapter in Cage’s expansive career.
In a recent candid revelation at the Toronto International Film Festival (via X@DEADLINE), following the premiere ofDream Scenario, Cage traced the origin of this metamorphosis back to a viral video compilation. This compilation, which harvested clips of Cage’s character outbursts from various movies, seemed to encapsulate moments where Cage “loses his sh-t”, becoming an overnight sensation and fostering a “memeification” storm that saw photoshopped images, t-shirts and more spreading like wildfire.
Cage recounts this surreal experience saying:
“What had happened to me, I might have been the first actor who woke up one morning and somebody put a montage of me having meltdown moments and freaking out, and cherry-picking from different movies and then put it online, and it went viral overnight around the world.”
He admits to feeling overwhelmed and unable to halt the rolling snowball effect it garnered. However, instead of succumbing to the pressure, Cage chose to embrace this newfound facet of his celebrity, using it as fodder for his role inDream Scenario, and turning what seemed like an uncontrollable wave of internet frenzy into an opportunity to create something golden.
RELATED:Nicolas Cage Dark Comedy Dream Scenario Gets New Images & Insights
From Meme Legend to Dream Weaver: Nicolas Cage’s Anticipated Return in Dream Scenario
As fans and meme enthusiasts alike eagerly await the release ofDream Scenario, curiosity buzzes in the air: will this filmspawn a new series of memes? The intriguing premise of the movie certainly paves the way for potential meme-worthy content, with Cage portraying a man who attains celebrity status owing to his appearances in people’s dreams. This concept, coupled with the involvement of writer and director Kristoffer Borgli - known for his work with the esteemed Ari Aster - hints at a project where Cage’s performance might once again steal the spotlight.
Moreover, Cage’s take on the unkempt professor Paul Matthews sparks anticipation for a performance peppered with personal experiences and the kind of unbridled energy that has made previous roles so iconic. The unveiling of his new look forDream Scenariohas already ignited hopes for another meme sensation, possibly giving birth to a fresh batch of internet wonders.
As Nicolas Cage embarks on this latest journey, leveraging his meme-famed moments as a cornerstone for crafting a character rich with potential and complexity, audiences around the world keenly hold their breath. For in Cage’s gifted hands, what seems like mere internet frolic might just evolve into a cinematic gold mine, echoing his transformative mantra: “turn this lead into a little bit of gold!”
