A press release came out last week which confirmed that Nicolas Cage was in negotiations to play the gangster villain for the upcoming Michael Gondry and Seth Rogen adaptation of Green Hornet.
Quick thereafter, news broke that Nic Cage had turned down the role and left the project to instead work as the lead in two other films. Production was just starting so some were worried about them finding a worthy replacement quick. They sure as hell did though in bringing in to-be-Oscar-nominated Inglourious Basterds star, Christoph Waltz.
As to why Cage turned down the role, we now have the reason…
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While promoting his film, Bad Lieutenant, Port of Call: New Orleans at TIFF, Cage answered questions on the topic of Green Hornet explaining that his decision stemmed from creative differences (he’s not the first to leave for that reason, looking back on Stephen Chow who was set to direct and play Kato before).
Cage revealed that Rogen and Gondry had different ideas for the character than he did and he “wasn’t interested in just being just a straight-up bad guy who was killing people willy-nilly.”
Instead, Cage wanted a character whose motivations made sense and whose evilness is explained and apparently there wasn’t the time to develop that into the script – production began two weeks ago.
“‘The Green Hornet’ was something that I wanted to do, I think Michel Gondry is very talented and I had hoped it would work but I think Seth Rogen and Michel had a different take on the character,”
“I had to have some humanity and to try to give it something where you could understand why the character was the way he was but I don’t think there was enough time to develop it.”
I can’t blame the man for his reasoning – it does make sense wanting to play a character that makes sense. Although, looking back on Cage’s resume, it’s a little confusing/surprising.
It doesn’t really matter though anymore as he won’t be missed too much with Christopher Waltz replacing him. Waltz made big name for himself with his epic performance in the latest Tarantino flick and he represents a significant upgrade over Mr. Cage.
What do you think of Cage’s reasoning and would you had liked to see him as the bad guy? Is Waltz now typecasted as a villain?
Green Hornet hits theaters December 17, 2010.
Source: CANOE
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13 Comments
Seth Rogen? Creative differences???? Sacred Green Hornet ! ummm…..DUH!
You know this has to be a seriously bad project if even Cage turns down the role!!! ( seriously, think about Cage’s body of work the last 10 years ) This has to be an Epic Fail! “Observe and Report 2″: The Green Hornet.
I’m actually glad he turned down the role. I’ve never been very fond of him or his acting. Also, I couldn’t take him seriously as a villain.
@ twistedburton,
How seriously can you take Rogen as a hero?
I think Cage fit into the comedic style this film aimed for but again, Waltz = win!
Just so we’re clear here, Cage has been in a lot of crappy movies esp lately and his acting skills are more than a little suspect but… can you really not see him as a bad guy? Have you seen face off?
I’d have rather had Cage AS the Green Hornet and Seth Rogen out parking cars at the premiere.
@Sam
At Comic-Con there was footage of Nic Cage in Kick-Ass and his bizarre, quirky style was (I thought) a perfect fit for his role in that movie.
@Andy S
LOL!
Vic
the only thing I’ve seen Waltz in ( so far ) has been Inglorious Basterds and his performance was absolutely amazing.
if he is as talented as I suspect , then he needn’t be concerned about typecasting.
Cage’s reasoning made sense to me.
Sure he’s rolled out a few gutter balls in the last few years but ( IMO ) he always comes back with something great eventually.
Well it sounds like Waltz is going to be reduced to a Austin Powers villain,,,
What????
I can understand why Nic didn’t want to do this. Sure there a few movies in his repetoire that are questionable, but more often than not he delivers a wonderful performance. i have loved this man since I was 8 and saw Peggy Sue Got Married. And as for not being good at playing a bad guy..hello…watch Kiss of Death or Face Off, both of which are incredibly good movies. He’s quirky, that’s what i love most about him!
What Andy S. said.
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