Movies Nic almost did - NICOLAS CAGE FORUM

Lady Trueheart

Nicalicious

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Posts: 6722

Date: 8:32 PM, 03/07/11

Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I never knew this, did you? http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/12/18/how-nicolas-cage-nearly-starred-in-the-matrix-and-lord-of-the-rings/ In some alternate universe, movie fans might be watching Christopher Walken as Han Solo, Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones, Eddie Murphy in "Ghostbusters" and Steve McQueen in "The Bodyguard." Recently, I went digging for a few more of these "What if?" Hollywood near-casting tales, and I dug up a few doozies like this: Nicolas Cage was almost in "Lord of the Rings" and "The Matrix"? "Movies I may have done, but didn't do," the "National Treasure" leading man repeated recently, when I asked about some of the many roles (including Superman) that he nearly landed in his two decades at the top of the Hollywood food chain. "Yeah, there was a couple of movies that I was offered, but I had good reasons, so I couldn't do it." "One was 'The Matrix,' and 'The Lord of the Rings,'" he revealed. "Both are great movies. But they both shot in New Zealand for great quantities of time...I mean years. Well, Australia was 'The Matrix,' New Zealand was 'The Lord of the Rings.' But I had family obligations, so I'm glad I stayed and I had those experiences with my family." My first thought is a simple one: WTF? But the more I think about it, the more I wouldn't want to pre-judge Cage. The guy has forged a career bravely taking on roles that contradict our concept of him ("World Trade Center," "The Rock," "Adaptation") and making them work. In "Matrix" he would've played Keanu's role of Neo, and with "Rings" Cage said he would've been "Aragorn," and as weird as all that might sound, you can only assume Peter Jackson and the Wachowskis knew what they were doing when they offered the Oscar-winner a role. "I thought what Viggo did was terrific," Cage added, refusing to speculate on what he would've done differently with the "Rings" king. "I just want to think about his character. I don't think about what I would've done." __________________

Lula Argante

Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 10:18 AM, 03/12/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I did Lady True and I would have loved to have seen Nic in both! The Matrix is a standout movie of epic proportions with themes that resonate, so for me that would have been a double thrill! There have been tons more roles Nic has turned down over the years too that i am sure couls be added to the list (i guess only he would know), and ones that ended up not happening for whatever reason, like Superman and The Green Hornet...for me the latter would have been improved a million fold if Nic had played the villain.....I think only he with his unique quintessential Cageness could have elevated it to another level. But as it turns out, observing the directors comments later on, they didn't deserve him, in the end.... __________________

Lady Trueheart

Nicalicious

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Date: 3:52 PM, 03/12/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I am so fond of both these epic movie series that it is really hard for me to picture anyone else in these roles, but the idea of Nic in either is mind boggling! Agree about the comments re Green Hornet, have not seen it though. It would be interesting to think of Nic in other roles, for instance I could have so seen him as Bourne. Ah, well, I am content with his wonderful filmography, but imagine going into a alternate reality and seeing what happened with his career choices there! __________________

Lula Argante

Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 6:48 PM, 03/14/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

Or imaging Nic going into an alternate reality within a film! __________________

Quazie89

Nicolicious

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Posts: 79

Date: 1:14 PM, 03/15/11

Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

It sure is good to here that Nic is a Lord of the Rings fan, since I'm a big fan of the movies myself, and I might just be saying this as a Nicolas Cage fan as well, but I think it would've been interesting to see him play Strider, even though I can't imagine anyone playing the part except for Viggo because I think he did play the character well and my mom's in love with him! -- Edited by Quazie89 on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 01:15:43 PM __________________

Gina

Team Cage

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Posts: 1108

Date: 1:02 PM, 09/23/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

Wow! I don't know about the Lord of the Rings, but I would have loved to have seen Nic in the Matrix!!! __________________ Whoop, Whoop!!!!

Floderstarke

Special Agent Cagealot

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Posts: 1496

Date: 11:24 PM, 09/23/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

i personally dont think Nic fits into movies like lord of the rings or matrix.but i assume superman would be very cool. __________________ Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin

Floderstarke

Special Agent Cagealot

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Posts: 1496

Date: 2:46 PM, 09/25/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I also recall that he should have played christoph waltz role in the green hornet __________________ Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin

Gina

Team Cage

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Posts: 1108

Date: 2:07 AM, 10/12/11

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

Floderstarke wrote: I also recall that he should have played christoph waltz role in the green hornet Yes Flo, I also recall that! I think reports stated that Nic wanted to play the character one way and the director wanted him to play it another. I just saw The Matrix on AMC about a week ago and was thinking how Nic would have fit into that scheme. Nicely, I think. __________________ Whoop, Whoop!!!!

haengbok1987

Nic Warrior

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Posts: 221

Date: 9:16 PM, 02/25/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I am familiar of these two movies but I feel so sad about Nic's decision to turn it down. :(( __________________ Your Official Blackjack Fan!!!

Lady Trueheart

Nicalicious

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Date: 11:25 PM, 03/19/12

Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I don't think I remember hearing of this one at the time, but do recall Nic being asked in an interview about it. Gosh, I know it futile, but I wish..... http://wildammo.com/2010/06/03/if-movies-followed-their-original-casting/#9 -- Edited by Lady Trueheart on Monday 19th of March 2012 11:27:13 PM __________________

Lula Argante

Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Posts: 8403

Date: 6:48 AM, 03/20/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I do know about Constantine, but have never seen this poster Meg, great find. I really love the movie, and the character....but boy oh boy..imagine if it had been Nic..the supernatural horror elements, angels, demons and Constantine... suitably angsty ...suiting Nic's sensibilities to play conflicted characters...and then he would have played a Dc as well as a Marvel comic book character. __________________

Lula Argante

Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Posts: 8403

Date: 5:48 PM, 03/28/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I stumbled across this piece on Leaving Las Vegas director Mike Figgis, where he mentions Nic was his first choice for the lead role in One Night Stand, in the end the part went to Wesley Snipes. ( I have never seen it, has anyone else? ) After their award winning work together in LLV, I cannot help but wonder what the result would have been if Nic had played the part ! check the whole article out at the link >>>> http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2012/mar/27/mike-figgis-open-weekend-q-and-a?newsfeed=true __________________

Lady Trueheart

Nicalicious

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Posts: 6722

Date: 10:24 AM, 03/29/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I have never seen it either, that I remember. That was quite some time ago. I like Wesley Snipes as an actor, I think he gets overlooked, I may look this up one of these days. __________________

Lady Trueheart

Nicalicious

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Posts: 6722

Date: 12:06 AM, 04/13/12

Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

15 Amazing Roles Almost Played by Nicolas Cage This guy is rude in some of his comments, but he is a Nic fan, so I am posting it because there are some movies here I didn't know that Nic had been associated with. Interesting to think of! . http://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-roles-almost-played-by-nicolas-cage/lons -- Edited by Lady Trueheart on Friday 13th of April 2012 12:09:47 AM __________________

Tues_manIc

the mystery master

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Date: 11:15 AM, 04/13/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

http://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-roles-almost-played-by-nicolas-cage/lons Thank you for sharing, Lady T,this is a no good prologue, but there is something wrong with your link, just make the it alive, hope you don't mind Dear me, Willy Wonka is in the list, hmm Nic would have been perfect for that role. Cool, will read the whole later this afternoon when i get round to it. Thanks __________________

Gina

Team Cage

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Posts: 1108

Date: 3:23 PM, 04/13/12

RE: Movies Nic almost did	Permalink

I ALWAYS thought Nic would have been waaayyyyy better as Willy Wonka than Johnny Depp. It's like Nic was born to play Willy Wonka. I'm not sure if anyone else agrees but, I know Nic loves Tim Burton but I just can't get into how he depicts movies. I thought Charlie and the Chocolate Factory could have been much better. I mean, it was a $150 million production and you mean to tell me they decided to go with ONE Oompa Loompa???? I thought that was so dumb and almost ruined the movie!!! In fact, I'm still mad about that!! ONE OOMPA LOOMPA????!!! __________________ Whoop, Whoop!!!!

15 Amazing Roles Almost Played by Nicolas Cage