Nicolas Cage turned down parts in two big franchise movies for roles he thought were better Nicolas Cage revealed he turned down franchise opportunities like “Dumb and Dumber” and “Spider-Man” to pursue roles in “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Adaptation,” which he felt offered more for him as an actor. He believes these choices were ultimately the right ones for his career, leading to critically acclaimed performances and awards. Cage also previously stated he turned down “Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix” to prioritize spending time with his son.

• Nicolas Cage opted for “Leaving Las Vegas” over “Dumb and Dumber” and “Adaptation” over “Spider-Man” as the Green Goblin.
• He felt the chosen roles offered more substantial acting opportunities.
• Cage’s roles in “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Adaptation” earned him prestigious awards and nominations.
• He previously declined “Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix” to stay near his son.
• Cage recently recounted a near-death experience while practicing surfing for his upcoming movie, “The Surfer.”