Nicolas Cage's Highfire: His Weirdest Role Yet?
Could Nicolas Cage Highfire become his most unforgettable performance? The upcoming Paramount+ fantasy series, Highfire, promises a role so uniquely bizarre that it might just outshine all of Nicolas Cage's previous unhinged characters.
From his early days in 1981 to his breakout role in 1987's Moonstruck, Nicolas Cage has consistently embraced unconventional characters. This cemented his reputation for playing lovable, strange, and delightfully unhinged roles. His dedication to these eccentric characters even inspired an episode of the sitcom Community, dissecting his acting style. Now, Cage is venturing into television with Spider-Noir, but it’s Highfire that truly has the potential to be his most outlandish role yet.
Highfire, based on Eoin Colfer’s adult fantasy novel, has been described as "True Detective" meets "Swamp Thing." This series blends fantasy, neo-noir, comedy, and thriller elements in a way that defies expectations. Originally optioned by Amazon, Highfire found a new home at Paramount+ in 2022, a move that could ultimately benefit the show's quality. Paramount+ is known for its curated selection of high-quality shows.
The premise of Highfire presents an alternate history where dragons once ruled the Earth. Humans have since eradicated them. In the present day, the last dragon, Lord Highfire, lives in hiding as Vern, a vodka-loving dragon in the Louisiana bayou. The story revolves around Vern and a teenager named Squib, who must team up to survive against the mob. Nicolas Cage is not only executive producing, but also voicing Vern, promising a truly unique character interpretation.
Why Vern Is the Perfect Role for Nicolas Cage
The character of Vern in Nicolas Cage Highfire is tailor-made for his unique brand of acting. Vern can speak to humans, walk upright, and wear clothes. He has a penchant for vodka, a Flashdance obsession, and a love for reality TV and jazz music. Despite his pop culture passions, he is also a foul-mouthed, curmudgeonly, and deeply depressed dragon. His Amazon shopping habits are impulsive, and his collection of Flashdance t-shirts is extensive.
Vern is a complex character, full of contradictions. He swims instead of flies and even wrestles with boars and alligators. He is unlike any typical fantasy protagonist or thriller hero. His unique personality and quirks make him the ideal character for Nicolas Cage to bring to life.
How Highfire Could Surpass Cage’s Other Unhinged Roles
Nicolas Cage has a long history of playing unhinged characters. He has even parodied this in movies like The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. While many of his roles are weird, they often fit within the context of the story. However, some exceptions include Renfield, Face/Off, and Vampire’s Kiss, which push boundaries and defy genre norms. Highfire has the potential to be just as memorable.
The character of Vern is exceptionally strange, even within his own story. A TV show format allows more time to explore his unhinged nature across multiple episodes. Furthermore, Cage will be voicing a live-action dragon, which means he can't rely on facial expressions and body language. If he can make Vern as unhinged and weird as his other iconic roles, Highfire will stand out because of these unique challenges.
The Current Status of the Highfire Adaptation
Since the show's move from Amazon to Paramount+, updates have been scarce, but the project is still in development. The slow progress makes sense, considering the unconventional nature of the show and the CGI character of Vern. Paramount+ needs to ensure that everything is in place for Highfire to succeed. Nicolas Cage also has a busy filming schedule, so it may take time to coordinate everything.
It's better to take the time to do Highfire right, rather than rushing the production. The potential for Nicolas Cage Highfire to be his weirdest and most memorable role is significant, and the team is committed to making it a success.