Nicolas Cage Reflects on His Career, Iconic Roles, and New Film ‘The Surfer’

In a wide-ranging interview with *The Guardian*, actor Nicolas Cage answers fan-submitted questions ahead of the release of his latest film, *The Surfer*. Cage shares memories of his infamous appearance on the Terry Wogan show, revealing that his wild persona was partially an act tied to promoting *Wild at Heart*. He discusses the fate of his iconic jackets from the film and his admiration for co-star Laura Dern. Cage also addresses turning down *Dumb and Dumber* to pursue *Leaving Las Vegas*, a decision he stands by. On *The Surfer*, Cage confirms he invented the line ‘Eat the rat!’ and improvised a key scene with a rubber prop rat. The interview also touches on his intense experience filming *Mandy*, which he describes as a groundbreaking artistic endeavor. Cage discusses his appreciation for traditional British food, clarifies his connection to a metal band named after him, and recounts a memorable meeting with Nick Cave, whom he is often mistaken for. He reflects on the challenges of playing a fictionalized version of himself in *The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent*, calling it his most uncomfortable role. Finally, Cage opens up about his quiet home life, emphasizing his role as a father and his preference for staying out of the spotlight.