Nicolas Cage Says He Rejected 2 Franchise Roles to Stay With His Children

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 30

Nicolas Cage said he turned down roles in both "Lord of the Rings" and "The Matrix" because he did not want to spend 3 years filming in New Zealand or Australia away from his son.
The 62-year-old actor said family came before career, echoing a 2022 remark that there was "no version" of him that would choose work over time with his children.
Cage also said he passed on "Dumb and Dumber" for "Leaving Las Vegas" and on playing Green Goblin in "Spider-Man" for "Adaptation," choices he said better fit him as an actor.
"Leaving Las Vegas" won Cage an Oscar, while "Adaptation" earned him another Academy Award nomination, underscoring how he favored prestige roles over blockbuster franchises.

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