Exclusive: Nicolas Cage describes what filming The Hero of Our Dreams was like

On March 14, the horror-comedy “The Hero of Our Dreams” starring Nicolas Cage will be released on Russian screens. In the story, his character, bumbling professor Paul Matthews, suddenly starts appearing in the dreams of complete strangers and thus becomes famous. He does nothing; just looking or passing by. But dreams soon begin to turn into real nightmares, and angry people blame their recent favorites for everything. The Fashion Vibes spoke with Nicolas Cage ahead of the premiere and got his take on cancel culture, memes, and his own characters.

— Why did you decide to participate in the project?

First of all, the name of the movie “The Hero of Our Dreams” attracted my attention (in the original – Dream Scenario. – Premium. to organise.). I have to say this is one of the top five scripts I have. In this order: Raising Arizona, Vampire Kiss, Honeymoon in Las Vegas, Adaptation, and The Hero of Our Dreams. I don’t look, act, or even look like Paul Matthews, but something about him resonated with me.

I remember the feeling I had when I made a mistake and Googled myself (laughing) and saw “Nicolas Cage looking for his own fuck” memes for the first time. The video included clips from movies where my characters were in various crisis situations. I became a meme. Then I realized I couldn’t stop it. There are many of them, and there are more and more. Then I said to myself: “Son, you can’t do anything about this.” All these feelings came to my mind when I read the script of “The Hero of Our Dreams”. I realized I could use this experience. After all, my hero Paul imagines all these people against his will and cannot influence this in any way. Back [технической] Working on the character’s appearance, voice and facial expressions were my true emotions.

— What kind of a teacher would you be if you started teaching at a university like your hero?

You know, my hero Paul is exactly the kind of teacher who knows how to inspire people. Another thing is that, as we think, there is a strong competitive spirit not only in sports but also in the academic environment. Among scientists in universities there is a debate about who is smarter, etc. There is a real struggle on the issues. I think this moment caused disappointment in my hero, although the students sincerely loved him. In this sense, he is truly a great teacher. As for me, I see myself in the role of student rather than teacher. I will never call myself a master of anything. There are works in my filmography that some people think I was unsuccessful or did not fit the type of work. For example, action or adventure movies. Maybe these people are right, but you know what? But I learned a lot as an actor. Personally, I am generally closer to naturalism than to modern blockbusters, such as in Billy Wilder’s “Double Indemnity” or films starring Edward G. Robinson. I like the progression of the story and the music I want to see in new movies. Or even something abstract like surrealism. I like the intertwining of different art forms in cinema. However, it is also important that there is a soul behind the external appeal in films.

— Do you believe that dreams have a special magical meaning?

Scientists do not attach much importance to dreams. I often have dreams, especially nightmares. I think they can add a lot to us in terms of experience. For example, I dream that I am in a crashing plane. Everything is so realistic that I wake up with a heavy feeling. And I can use these emotions in my acting to make the scene believable.

— How would you explain why your hero appears in other people’s dreams?

I think Paul was initially disappointed that he wasn’t doing anything in his dreams. He is just a passive observer.

— The subject of cancel culture comes up in “The Hero of Our Dreams,” but what do you think about it?

To tell the truth, the main theme in the script for me was fame and the phenomenon of fame. About how some memes go viral. I explained people’s reaction to my hero to myself as the collective unconscious. Technology enables the rapid dissemination of information. I hadn’t considered cancel culture in that sense. But I believe the audience is always right. If they see it that way, it means it exists.

– If you could choose anyone in the world, who would you like to see in your dreams for a year?

It’s simple: spouse and children. People with whom I spend my free time outside of dreams. With my loved ones.

— Do you like to mix horror and thriller genres with comedy?

– To be amazed! This is my favorite combination. It’s crazy but so much fun to play.

— What are your favorite movies from A24 studio?

— All directed by Ari Aster. I would point to his work as the reason why I decided to make independent films again. Yes, they are limited by budget, but they have more creative freedom. You create something new, original, creative. Studio A24 greenlights stories that the big studios won’t take on. But independent films like Vampire’s Kiss and Face/Off can also be profitable. I remember experimenting with the traditions of German Expressionism, silent cinema, and contemporary trends. For example, when my hero goes crazy and uses illegal substances, the viewer doesn’t know whether he is really a vampire or not. It’s so surreal. And then the same memes about my hero appeared.

— What do you think about technologies that blur the line between sleep and reality? Take artificial intelligence for example…

I’m generally open to new things, but artificial intelligence scares me a little. I wouldn’t want the characters I play to live alone, even anywhere on the computer. These things need to be checked.

— In The Unbearable Weight of Immense Talent, your hero Nicolas Cage meets a more successful copy of himself from the past. Does it have anything in common with your character in The Hero of Our Dreams? Take, for example, the fact that they both have to face the downside of fame…

First of all, I’m not Paul Matthews, I’m Nic Cage. Life experience helped me play this game. “The Unbearable Weight of Immense Talent” was a challenge and overall the scariest thing I’ve ever done. You know, we actors generally want to hide behind the characters. You have to be brave to play yourself. And there’s another moment where they give you a script, they show you, and you read it and you think, “no, this isn’t about me.” My character Nic Cage has a daughter, but I didn’t at the time. And I didn’t have to choose: career or family. For me family always comes first. Then director Tom Gormican said to me: “Yes, but then we won’t have a story.” I must admit that at some moments I felt completely humiliated and wanted to shout at him: “What are you doing to me, man?” All in all, an experience I don’t want to repeat. (laughing.)