In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Nicolas Cage expressed profound concerns about artificial intelligence, particularly its potential to recreate his likeness posthumously. The acclaimed actor revealed his apprehension regarding recent body scans he underwent for upcoming projects, fearing they might serve as a template for AI-driven recreations after his death.
Cage is set to headline MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video’s live-action Spider-Man Noir series, a venture that marks his return to high-profile productions and his most significant television role to date. Despite his previous reluctance towards television, Cage found himself intrigued by the medium’s potential for extended character development. He elaborated, “What interested me was the time I could take expressing something.”
Drawing inspiration from Bryan Cranston‘s performance in Breaking Bad, Cage mused on the luxury of time afforded by television storytelling. He recalled a scene where Cranston’s character contemplated a suitcase for an extended period, noting, “We don’t have time to do that in movies.” However, Cage tempered expectations for his Spider-Man Noir project, describing it as “more of a Pop-art mashup, like a Lichtenstein painting” with “some sparkle to it.”
The actor, known for his diverse roles, emphasized his aversion to violence in his work. “I don’t like violence. I don’t want to play people who are hurting people,” Cage stated. He found solace in the fantastical nature of the Spider-Man Noir series, adding, “It’s not really people beating people up. Monsters are involved.”
Cage’s interview was cut short due to scheduled body scans for his upcoming projects. This necessity sparked a passionate discourse on the ethical implications of AI in entertainment. “They have to put me in a computer and match my eye color and change — I don’t know,” he said. “They’re just going to steal my body and do whatever they want with it via digital AI. … God, I hope not AI. I’m terrified of that.”
The actor’s concerns extend beyond his own image, questioning the future of artistic integrity in an AI-dominated landscape. “Where will the truth of the artists end up? Is it going to be replaced? Is it going to be transmogrified? Where’s the heartbeat going to be?” Cage pondered. His apprehension culminated in a poignant plea: “I mean, what are you going to do with my body and my face when I’m dead? I don’t want you to do anything with it!”
Shifting gears, Cage reflected on his current career trajectory and preferred intimate, character-driven narratives over big-budget spectacles. While not entirely dismissing high-profile projects, he emphasized his inclination toward indie dramas like Pig and Dream Scenario. These roles, he believes, align with his desire to explore human drama in a direct, unfiltered manner.
“People want to learn something from what these characters are going through. I’m interested in 50mm, right in your face — I’m interested in the psyche,” Cage explained. He seeks roles that resonate on a personal level, aiming to create connections that alleviate feelings of isolation. “I want to see people going through their hardships and their celebrations and relate to it, or find something to it that makes me feel less lonely in some way.”
Cage’s artistic preferences stem from a deep appreciation for character-driven cinema. “I like movies about people—that’s just my taste—and smaller stories,” he stated. This inclination has led him to gravitate towards independent films, though he remains open to more mainstream offerings.
The actor’s cinematic inspirations are rooted in classic, emotionally charged narratives. “The movies that made me want to be a film actor are movies like Elia Kazan‘s, or Raging Bull — movies that were about people who were contending with the issues of life,” Cage revealed.
As Cage prepares for his next project, Osgood Perkins’ horror film Longlegs, where he portrays a chilling serial killer, his words serve as a thoughtful reflection on the evolving landscape of cinema and the enduring power of authentic storytelling in an increasingly digitized world.
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