Nicolas Cage

admits that he does not regret pᴀssing on a widely successful buddy comedy movie, 31 years after it premiered. Cage has maintained a genre-spanning career, which includes unusual and transformative performances in Vampire’s Kiss and Face/Off. After winning an Academy Award for Leaving Las Vegas, he appeared in numerous blockbuster movies, ranging in audience reception, including the National Treasure and Ghost Rider franchises. More recently, Cage portrayed Dracula in Renfield and shocked fans as a demonic serial killer in Longlegs.

Throughout his film catalog, Cage has also had many comedic roles, including Raising Arizona and the self-referential The Unbearable Weight of Mᴀssive Talent. Demonstrating that he can be equally funny and romantic, as well as dramatic, Cage has starred opposite Cher in Moonstruck and Laura Dern in Wild at Heart. He also appeared in the superhero comedy Kick-ᴀss, while voicing a star-nosed mole in G-Force and a caveman in the commercially successful animated movie The Croods.

Nicolas Cage Turned Down Dumb And Dumber

The Buddy Comedy Became A Giant Success

Yet one surprising comedy that Cage could have been part of is Dumb and Dumber. The movie, directed by Peter Farrelly, centers on best friends Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, who embark on a cross-country adventure to Aspen when they discover an unclaimed briefcase in the airport. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels famously portray Lloyd and Harry, respectively, while other Dumb and Dumber cast members include Lauren Holly, Mike Starr, Karen Duffy, and Charles Rocket. Released in 1994, Dumb and Dumber would go on to become a box office hit, generating more than $247 million.

During an interview with The Guardian, Cage revealed that he has no regrets about turning down the role of Harry and potentially starring alongside Carrey in Dumb and Dumber. He explained that, while Carrey was looking for him to join, he was focused on Leaving Las Vegas. Cage expressed his content concerning this, and that Dumb and Dumber still happened, adding: “I think I made the right choice.” Read Cage’s comments below:

Never. I remember when Jim [Carrey] wanted me to do it. I was at the Chateau Marmont, rehearsing with Mike Figgis, getting ready for Leaving Las Vegas, which was a conflict with Dumb and Dumber. I’m glad they made their movie and I’m happy for them, but I think I made the right choice.

Our Take On Cage Turning Down Dumb And Dumber

What Would The Comedy Have Looked Like?

Dumb and Dumber became a beloved buddy comedy movie, and Carrey and Daniels eventually returned for the 2014 sequel Dumb and Dumber To. Cage has proven that he excels at humorous acting, along with many other genres, but it’s hard to imagine the role of Harry changing. Although he likely would have gone all out and made for a memorable, and funny, character, it may have been a very different portrayal, and considering Nicolas Cage won the Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas and continues to have a celebrated career, it does seem like his decision paid off.

Source: The Guardian