If a third National Treasure movie is ever made, it seems the plot could be lifted straight out of Nicolas Cage's real life.
Cage sat down for an interview with The New York Times Magazine on Wednesday that was about as bonkers as one could hope for, with a conversation about that time he accidentally purchased a stolen dinosaur skull leading into his description of what he describes as his "grail quest."
"I started following mythology, and I was finding properties that aligned with that," Cage said. "It was almost like National Treasure. ... For me it was all about where was the grail? Was it here? Was it there? Is it at Glastonbury?"
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Though the Times' David Marchese initially thought Cage was just being metaphorical, it quickly became clear he wasn't. No, he really did journey to Glastonbury because of legends that the Holy Grail was buried there. This search, in fact, is part of what led to him buying property in Rhode Island. Alas, Cage came up short in his quest.
"But yes, this had put me on a search around different areas, mostly in England, but also some places in the States," Cage said. "What I ultimately found is: What is the Grail but Earth itself?"
Outside of this puzzling thought, Cage during the discussion also explains how he has "definitely" taken acting inspiration from his pet cobras and talks about using "power objects" to get better performances out of himself, such as "an antique from an ancient pyramid" or "a little sarcophagus that's a greenish color and looks like King Tut," both of which are apparently real examples. He also describes how he stopped going to therapy because "I'd look at the person and I'd start to go: 'Why am I talking to you? I'm more interesting than you.'"
Go on the magical journey that is the full interview at The New York Times Magazine.
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