'Spider Noir' cast on working with Nicolas Cage: He's full of surprises, raises everyone's game

At 62, Nicolas Cage still carries the aura of a Hollywood movie star -- the nice car, leather jackets and his electric presence. But he completely transforms the moment he steps in front of the camera, according to his co-stars from the upcoming series ''Spider-Noir''.

Actors Lamorne Morris, Jack Huston and Li Jun Li have different takeaways from working with Cage, yet they all agree that his on-set conduct bears little resemblance to his larger-than-life public image.

For Morris, Cage oozes the classic ''Nick Cage energy'', much like his character of Castor Troy from the 1997 hit ''Face/Off''.

''You've seen his red carpet photos and you've seen some of the flash. He dresses quite nicely and he'll show up with the coolest leather jacket on and the nicest car you've ever seen. And it's this movie star aura that he carries. His sense of style, it bleeds Nick Cage, almost like Castor Troy in 'Face/Off'. He has that kind of electric energy.

''But the moment he comes out of his trailer, he's so professional and he's all business and he's so kind and caring,'' Morris told PTI in a roundtable interview.

The Prime Video series marks Cage's first foray into television as well as his debut as a superhero, in a celebrated career that has featured acclaimed performances in films such as ''Leaving Las Vegas'', ''Moonstruck'', ''Raising Arizona'', ''The Rock'', ''Con Air'', ''National Treasure'' and ''Ghost Rider''.

In the series, Cage stars as Ben Reilly, an ageing, down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York who must confront his past as the city's sole masked vigilante The Spider.

Morris, who essays the role of Reilly's friend Robbie Robertson, said one of the most striking things he observed was Cage's ability to switch gears at will.

''The things that I learned from him is how to go in and out. He can turn it off and then turn it on just like that,'' said the actor, best known for his Emmy-winning role in season five of ''Fargo'' series.

Huston, known for movies and shows such as ''Boardwalk Empire'', ''American Hustle'' and ''The Irishman'', praised Cage as ''one of those unique actors who's just surprising at every turn''.

In the show, Huston plays the role of Flint Marko aka supervillain Sandman.

''I loved every second of working with Nick. He's the most well prepared. He's the most exciting person to be opposite. He leads by the greatest example, which is absolute love and excitement and somebody who turns up to work and you're just surprised at every turn. He raises everyone else's game,'' the actor said.

According to Huston, Cage is that actor who just can't be pigeonholed in anything.

''You can never put him in a box. He'll always do something surprising. He'll always do something original. He'll always bring Nick Cage to that specific part of a role which nobody else can touch. It's sort of an amazing thing. It was one of the great experiences of my life working on this opposite someone like Nick,'' he added.

Li, known for movies such as ''Babylon'' and ''Sinners'', said she found Cage to be inspiring as a co-star. She essays the role of Cat Hardy, a femme fatale nightclub singer with ties to an underworld conspiracy.

The actor said she had her own ideas about her character and her scenes but found them upended the moment she started working with Cage.

''I was really excited to work with him... he is so hyper-focused and his excellent work ethic and he works very fast and so specific in his choices. And in the very beginning, before the initial cast table read, we all have our interpretations of how scenes should work and I had a very different idea.

''But when he and I started reading together for the first time, it completely changed how I saw our dynamic... He's basically inspired me very much and has made me a better actor. He's forced me to live in the moment because of the way he works,'' she said.

''Spider Noir'', which will premiere on Prime Video on May 25, is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Amazon MGM Studios. Harry Bradbeer directed and executive produced the first two episodes.

Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot serve as co-showrunners and executive producers, alongside Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)