In an unexpected turn of events, renowned actor Nicolas Cage expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Star Trek universe during the recent 51st Annual Saturn Awards. Cage, a self-proclaimed Trekkie, revealed his conditions for taking on a role in the beloved franchise while on the red carpet. As he accepted the Best Supporting Film Actor award for his portrayal of Dracula in 'Renfield,' Cage spoke with Screen Rant about his love for Star Trek and his desire to add his unique 'flavor' to any potential character.
Although Cage received a few phone calls regarding a possible Star Trek opportunity, he emphasized the importance of seeing a script that truly resonated with him. With his genuine affection for the franchise, he expressed a strong desire to be part of the iconic USS Enterprise. Cage playfully stated, 'I want to be on the Enterprise. Ideally, I'd have to be on the Enterprise in some capacity. I don't want to be floating in space outside! I want to be on the bridge, but they have to bring it to me.'
This isn't the first time Cage has expressed his allegiance to the Star Trek universe. When rumors circulated last year about a potential role in the Star Wars franchise, Cage swiftly dismissed them, declaring, 'I'm a Trekkie, man. I'm on the Star Trek Enterprise. That's where I roll.'
The Star Trek phenomenon began with the iconic television series created by Gene Roddenberry in the 1960s. Since then, it has expanded into multiple films, television series, video games, novels, and comic books, gaining a large and dedicated fanbase known as Trekkies. Last month, news broke that a prequel origin film, set several decades before the 2009 reboot, is in the works. Toby Haynes will direct, with Seth Grahame-Smith penning the script. The original Star Trek director and producer, JJ Abrams, will oversee the project under his Bad Robot banner. Additionally, Paramount is actively developing Star Trek 4, despite some delays.
While the possibility of seeing Nicolas Cage donning a Starfleet uniform on the big screen remains uncertain, the actor has been keeping busy with various Earth-bound projects. In 2023 alone, he appeared in a whopping six movies, including 'The Old Way,' 'Renfield,' 'The Flash,' 'Sympathy for the Devil,' 'The Retirement Plan,' and 'Dream Scenario.' His performance in the latter film earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
Next on Cage's agenda is his role in the NEON horror film, 'Longlegs.' The recently released trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse of Cage's character, described by the actor himself as a 'possessed Geppetto.' Co-starring Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, and Blair Underwood, 'Longlegs' is set to hit theaters on July 12, 2024.
Amidst his bustling career, Cage has made it clear that he intends to slow down a bit and focus on his personal life. He has expressed a desire to spend more time with his daughter and indulge in the simple pleasures of life, such as reading a book a week. As he embarks on this new chapter, Cage remains excited about the profound experience of being a new father.
As Nicolas Cage continues to captivate audiences with his captivating performances and fascinating off-screen persona, fans can only speculate about the possibility of him joining the Star Trek franchise. Until then, they eagerly await his upcoming projects and relish every opportunity to witness his eclectic acting style on the silver screen.