Nicolas Cage was once at the very top of his career, as one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. He commanded a massive paycheck and was making millions for each appearance he made. Red carpets were graced with his presence and interviewers lined up alongside the paparazzi for a mere glimpse at Nicolas Cage's arrival at an event.
Then, just as quickly as he stormed the scene and found longevity in the industry, Nicolas Cage suddenly disappeared from the spotlight. He began to pursue smaller projects and seemed to shun Hollywood and fame, altogether. The reasons why he dipped out of the spotlight and left the role that so many fans across the globe greatly admired him for, may surprise you...
8 The Climate Changed
There was once a time that Hollywood gave Nicolas Cage the satisfaction he was seeking from his career. Now, he indicates that times have changed, and he has told the New York Times; "I don’t know if I’d want to go back. I don’t know if I’d want to go and make another Disney movie. It would be terrifying. It’s a whole different climate. There’s a lot of fear there." There is more criticism and far more push-back from fans and producers alike, making the landscape of acting significantly different than it once was.
7 He's Not Exactly In High Demand
There comes a time in every actor's career where they just simply don't resonate with fans in the same manner as they once did, and this was certainly the real-life scene in the life of Nicolas Cage. After seeing huge success with movies like Con Air, Gone In 60 Seconds, Leaving Las Vegas, and It Could Happen To You, Nicolas Cage began to drift away from the Hollywood scene, and his popularity began to dwindle. Fox News reports he was no longer in high demand and wasn't able to command the wages he was once accustomed to.
6 The Commercial Constraints Were Stifling
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons Nicolas Cage dipped out of the Hollywood scene is due to the fact that all of the commercial restraints were getting to him. As an actor on the set of a movie that required major funding, he was forced to work within the commercial constraints that dictated his every move. Cage felt he had a lot to offer to the development of his characters on set, but was forced to follow the directives of the powers-that-be, and his job became less and less satisfying.
5 There Was Too Much Pressure
Nicolas Cage tells the press; "When I was making Jerry Bruckheimer movies back-to-back, that was just a high-pressure game. There were a lot of fun moments, but at the same time, there was also ‘We wrote this line. It has to be said this way.'"
The fact that there was so much control and micro managing led to a lot of pressure and stress. There was very little that Cage could do to put a stop to the increasing pressure, so he opted to separate from it altogether.
4 His Creative Freedom Was Too Restricted
When it comes to acting, Nicolas Cage isn't content just doing what he is told. He believes that when his creative juices are flowing, he will able to generate huge movies, but sadly, he feels he is too restricted in his career. He indicates; "They’d put a camera on you and photograph you, and order you: ‘Now say the roller skate training wheels line.’ I’d say, ‘I’ll do that but I’d also like to try it this way.’"
He sharply contrasted that with the fact that when it came to independent movies, he "has freedom to experiment and be fluid. There’s less pressure and there’s more oxygen in the room."
3 He Wanted To Show His Diversity
Nicolas Cage wants to be recognized as someone who demonstrates diversity in the roles he takes on. He thrives on the opportunity to take on a role that pushes him outsides of his comfort zone or challenges his personal beliefs. When filming Pig, he showcased his more subdued, subtle acting style, which is far removed from the version of Nicolas Cage that most fans have known and recognized for years.
Cage has been quoted as saying; "I wanted to remind myself and also remind some folks perhaps in the audience or in the media that I could also apply myself to a much more quiet and measured performance style."
2 He Was Seeking More Freedom
Nicolas Cage has put in the time and effort required to attain more freedom within the roles he takes on.
The reality is that there are a whack of low-budget independent films he has currently dominated, and he did so by being able to prove he requires more freedom during the creative process than the big movies had to offer. He admits to having left Hollywood behind in hopes of being taken more seriously in the smaller roles that he is permitted to help develop and lend a creative hand to.
1 He Was Done With The Fame Game
The glitz and the glamor of the Hollywood lights ultimately proved to be too much for Nicolas Cage who at the height of his career, decided that the fame game was just not for him. He bored of the incessant interviews and repetitive questions and wasn't a huge fan of the spotlight, in general. He started to long for a life that felt more fulfilling, and one that would allow him to pursue his creative visions without too many restrictions.
It was a fun ride, while it lasted, but Nicolas Cage is very happy where he is, and shows no inclination of whether or not there will be more to come.