This was out a while ago, but I don't see it posted here, so I will go ahead. An interview with the director of 'Joe' about another movie he made, but with an interesting segment where he talks about working with Nic. I put the relevant part here. Sure makes me eager to see this movie.

http://tribecafilm.com/festival/features/david-gordon-green-prince-avalanche

Tribeca: As a devoted Nic Cage fan, I have to take this opportunity to ask you to talk a little bit about your upcoming movie, Joe. He’s my favorite actor.

DGG: Really? You’re about to have your mind blown. It’s based off an iconic southern contemporary novel about a tree poisoner. It’s a very beautiful, brutal, and intimate portrayal of this very wounded, upset man.

Tribeca: What brought the two of you together?

DGG: I’ve just always been a big fan of Cage, since Valley Girl, Raising Arizona and Vampire’s Kiss—those are movies I love. He actually came to Austin while we were location scouting for Prince Avalanche and joined us while we were working. We were talking about doing something together that was less of the genre that he has been typically known for working in. I also wanted to do something different from the comedies that I had mostly been working on.

It reminded me of the first time I met James Franco before we did Pineapple Express together. We both met and it was like—he’s doing Flyboys and Annapolis and these pretty boy movies and I’m doing these crybaby boy drama indie movies—and we both looked at each other and said, “I’m just trying to find the right guy to get into a crazy new game together.” Me and Nic had the exact same fit.

Tribeca: I think the reason I like him so much is that he never turns in a lazy performance.

DGG: He’s so dedicated and he is an amazing creative collaborator. He’s just so brave and willing do anything for the character. That’s the only thing that matters to him.

Plus, most of the cast are homeless people and non-actors from the day-labor places in Austin.  So not only are we taking away what’s he is comfortable with--like rehearsal and memorization and things like that—but we’re putting him in with people who aren’t thespians—just these raw voices and faces. It was an incredibly unique experience for both him and me. I can’t wait for you to see it. Anyone who’s ever been a Cage fan is going to be very hungry for this.