Nicolas Cage Reveals the Role That Forced Him To Face His Greatest Fear

Nicolas Cage has never been afraid to take risks on screen. Over the years, he has moved between quiet dramas and loud action movies without warning. From Leaving Las Vegas to Con Air, his choices have always been bold. That same attitude has often pushed him to face things that genuinely scare him in real life.

One of the clearest examples came early in his career while filming the 1989 movie Vampire’s Kiss. In the film, Cage plays a man who slowly loses touch with reality and starts to believe he is a vampire. The role is now famous for its extreme performance, but one scene in particular stood out even to the people working on the film.

According to director Robert Bierman, the script originally called for Cage’s character to suck on a raw egg. Cage did not think that went far enough. Bierman later recalled Cage telling him that the thing I hate most in the world is cockroaches. Cage then suggested that he should eat one on camera instead.

Bierman shared this story in interviews reflecting on the film. He said he immediately liked the idea and had the crew find several large cockroaches for the scene. Cage went through with it, even though it meant confronting his biggest fear.

He later explained that he wanted to do something so extreme that audiences would never forget the moment. That scene became one of the most talked-about parts of Vampire’s Kiss and helped define Cage’s reputation as an actor who goes all in, no matter the cost.

Today, Cage is enjoying another strong chapter in his career. He is coming off the success of the horror film Longlegs and is preparing for a new live-action series called Spider Noir. The show, set in 1930s New York, will stream on Prime Video and features Cage as an older private detective who is also a superhero.

He has also been filming a biographical movie titled Madden, where he plays legendary football coach and broadcaster John Madden. The film is directed by David O. Russell and has already drawn attention for Cage’s physical transformation.

On top of that, Cage is returning to one of his most well-known roles in Lords of War, a sequel to Lord of War. He will once again play arms dealer Yuri Orlov, this time alongside Bill Skarsgård.

Do you think that willingness to face real fear is what makes Nicolas Cage so unforgettable? Share your thoughts in the comments.