Nicolas Cage is a powerhouse of unmatched intensity. He brings something bold and inspired to each role, even if his performances can be over-the-top. He dubbed his acting style “Nouveau Shamanic,” which draws on ancient traditions and aims to make the actor feel fully inhabited by the character. That distinctive ability to let himself loose factors into his superhero roles, with Cage having championed comic book characters in the past. In 2010, Cage told The Express comics taught him how to read, elaborating:
“I’ve always had a soft spot for comic books. I learned to read from them. The words in them were so interesting. The stories are modern myths, which give people power.”
Cage’s love of specific characters goes deep. He even named his son Kal-El, though he mysteriously denies it was solely due to Superman, telling Entertainment Weekly, “It means ‘The Voice of God’ — I always thought Kal-El was a beautiful name, that’s why I gave him the name. It wasn’t because of some adoration for Superman.” Still, Cage’s love of Superman is undeniable, with him getting to play the DC flagship character in interesting ways. Spider-Noir recently debuted on Prime Video to glowing reviews from critics and audiences, with Cage bringing another eccentric, quirk-filled hero performance to life. So how does Spider-Noir measure up to the actor’s other superhero movies and TV shows?
8
‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ (2012)
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is not a great movie. Cage gives a fantastically unhinged performance, and audiences are treated to the crazy visual of Ghost Rider urinating a stream of fire. Still, the plot is far from entertaining or original, making the film a bleak attempt to keep the character going in movies after Cage’s 2007 debut as the antihero.
The third act finale delivers a spectacular sequence that gives Ghost Rider some time to shine during the day as he chases down a convoy on his motorcycle. It’s an action-packed way to end the movie, and potentially one of the best superhero action sequences yet put to film. Unfortunately, it’s trapped in Spirit of Vengeance, which Joseph Garcia perfectly encapsulates in his review, stating:
“The film revs and stalls, swerving between gritty and silly, with scorching action but a clichéd story, with fiery performances but burned out dialogue.”
7
‘Ghost Rider’ (2007)
Ghost Rider is at least better than the sequel, Spirit of Vengeance. However, it has that uncanny-valley feeling of imperfection that director Mark Steven Johnson also brought to his 2003 Daredevil film, starring Ben Affleck. The story feels rushed, attempting to squeeze in an origin story and an epic villain arc that can’t even manage to move past mediocre, constantly wavering between dark and overly silly.
Still, Cage delivers one of his most full-tilt performances to date, especially in the moments where he transforms into Ghost Rider, really allowing him to play up the notion of his body being engulfed in flames. Given that reviewers like Mike Barnard filed Ghost Rider under “crimes against cinema,” it was shocking that a sequel was made. Even though the film adaptation didn’t work out, Cage still loves the character, but the movie won’t leave a trail of burning rubber blasting to the top of the list.
6
‘Astro Boy’ (2009)
Astro Boy is one of the earliest and most influential Japanese superhero figures, with Osamu Tezuka’s 1951 creation helping to pave the way for numerous manga and anime characters. Cage voices Dr. Bill Tenma, the scientist who tragically lost his son, leading to the creation of Astro Boy as a robotic replica. It’s a story layered with emotion and action, but it couldn’t quite hit the historic heights the character deserves.
The animation looks great, and Cage gives a solid performance. Yet the movie didn’t connect with audiences at the time, as its formulaic elements couldn’t outweigh the charming, often deeply emotional character beats. On a $65 million budget, it only grossed $39 million worldwide, killing any hopes of a sequel. Still, Astro Boy is more fun to watch than Cage’s time as Ghost Rider.
5
‘The Flash’ (2023)/’The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?’ (2015)
Honestly, Cage’s appearance in The Flash is a CGI Superman cameo that fulfills the long-dead project he was meant to craft with director Tim Burton. The documentary The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? does an impeccable deep dive into the project that would have brought Burton’s Batman-like flair and darker sensibilities to Superman. While the film fell apart for numerous reasons, Cage can be seen in costume tests as Superman, offering a glimpse at what could have been.
Given that he only appears in archival footage, it’s not a superhero role he actually played, but when combined with his minor cameo in The Flash, there is a case to be made. The Flash is a mediocre, CGI-filled nightmare that squandered Michael Keaton’s return as Batman, despite a reasonably entertaining story. The end of the movie features numerous iterations of Superman throughout history, including those played by Christopher Reeve and Cage. While the documentary could be placed at the top of the list, The Flash can’t overcome many of its flaws, and Cage’s role is also minuscule. When viewed as a package-deal part of Cage’s unique Superman history, his CGI cameo was a bold, failed attempt to give a bygone dream its due.
4
‘Teen Titans Go! to the Movies’ (2018)
Cage’s best performance as Superman was in the animated film Teen Titans Go! to the Movies. The movie was an adaptation of the animated series Teen Titans Go!, which features the DC Comics characters in stories aimed at younger viewers. When bringing the story to the big screen, the series upped the stakes by rounding out its Justice League with a talented cast, including Jimmy Kimmel (Batman), Halsey (Wonder Woman), Lil Yachty (Green Lantern), Wil Wheaton (The Flash), and Cage (Superman).
Teen Titans Go! to the Movies grossed $52 million worldwide at the box office. The film garnered stellar reviews from critics and audiences, proving that the animated series was capable of making inspired leaps to the big screen. While Cage and the members of the Justice League weren’t the central focus, fans of the actor won’t be disappointed by his time as Superman.
3
‘Kick-Ass’ (2010)
Kick-Ass took a dark, violent look at what would happen if everyday people attempted to be vigilante superheroes like those seen in comic books. The film was adapted from Mark Millar’s comics, pushing the envelope with its subversive story that focuses on real-world consequences. While the film’s tone may be too much for those who prefer more family-friendly MCU fare, Kick-Ass offers one of Cage’s most interesting performances as the Batman-inspired vigilante Big Daddy.
Kick-Ass also features one of Cage’s best on-screen deaths, as he aids his daughter with tactical directions despite flames starting to engulf his body. His over-the-top performance even pulls from classic sources, with the actor delivering what he feels is the truth in everyday heroes, telling The Express:
“There are cops who wear Batman T-shirts underneath their uniforms and paramedics who wear Superman shirts under their clothes because that’s what gives them the guts to go in and get the job done. It was somewhat the same for Big Daddy, my character in Kick-Ass. I made him speak like Adam West in the old Batman TV series because that voice gave him the guts to fight crime.”
2
‘Spider-Noir’ (2026-?)
Spider-Noir is the type of bold series that delivers a unique Spider-Man story unlike anything live-action fans have seen. It embraces the perfect noir style storytelling to capture the time period, with impeccable interpretations of each character. The show even offers audiences the option to watch it in black and white or color, with a look that evokes an old colorized film. While Brendan Gleeson’s Silvermane and Andrew Lewis Caldwell’s Megawatt leave an impression, the series gives Cage another outlet for his quirky sensibilities.
There are scenes throughout Spider-Noir that feel like pure Cage, allowing the eccentric actor’s style to inform the character. Furthermore, the story has incorporated stellar opportunities for the actor to take bold swings that don’t require webs. Given the era, Cage’s performance feels like the perfect dose of pulpy fun peppered into a superhero story that still finds original ways to breathe new life into old ideas. As MovieWeb‘s review notes, “our love for Cage and his obvious talent still carries us across eight episodes.” Spider-Noir is one of Cage’s best superhero roles, and it could have easily been number one, except he’s played the character before in the undisputed champ.
1
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Admittedly, Cage’s Spider-Man Noir is not the central focus of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Still, as much as Miles Morales leaves an indelible mark, it’s the side characters that help the film thrive. Whether through John Mulaney’s Spider-Ham antics or Cage’s 1930s-inspired detective hero, Into the Spider-Verse’s story excels at bringing together an eclectic array of characters who all get to shine.
The film’s overall quality can’t be ignored, as it is a masterpiece of superhero storytelling. The leap-of-faith arc Miles experiences can still deliver goosebumps, ensuring the film remains a classic. Yet, Cage’s pulpy performance perfectly captures the noir style with his Humphrey Bogart-inspired line delivery. Even though the actor only voices Spider-Man Noir, he still gives the role his full commitment, with his sensibilities shining through every moment the character appears on-screen. There’s a reason Cage got to play the character in live action: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sparked the unshakable idea that there needs to be more of the actor playing the character. Now we just need him back for the third installment of Miles’ trilogy. Here’s looking at you, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
- Birthdate
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January 7, 1964
- Birthplace
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Long Beach, California, USA
- Birthname
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Nicholas Kim Coppola
