Exit stage left as Nicolas Cage sets off in a whole new direction

NICOLAS Cage says he’ll only continue acting for ‘three or four more years,’ as he wants to make a permanent move behind the camera.

‘In terms of producing and directing, yes, I’m getting back in production,’ the 54-yearold Oscar winner told media in Puerto Rico, according to The Blast, as he promoted his latest movie, Primal.

‘My company, Saturn Films, is involved in all the movies I’m doing now,’ he said.

‘Directing is something I’d look forward to down the road, because right now I’m primarily a film performer,’ said Cage, who earned an Oscar in 1996 for his role as tragic alcoholic Ben Sanderson in Leaving Las Vegas.

‘I’m going to continue doing that for three or four more years and then I’d like to focus more on directing.’

The Con Air star said his decision to step away from a life in front of the camera came after realising that he can be ‘self-destructive’ when he isn’t working. ‘I have multiple reasons for wanting to work,’ Cage said. ‘One of them is, to be honest, I can be a little selfdestructive if I’m not focused on my job.’

The Face/Off actor said he likes ‘the structure of work’ and the ‘routine’ and ‘structure’ that comes along with it. ‘It’s the difference between maybe having one bottle of wine versus two bottles of wine.’

Although he is set to move behind the camera, Cage said his love for film hasn’t faded, as he still enjoys making movies.

‘I enjoy performing. I like the power of film and performance and practising. It’s kept me in touch with my craft and I feel I’m better now than I’ve ever been. I have my emotions at my fingertips and my process down.’