Nicolas Cage’s Method Acting Went Too Far, Director Claims
Filming 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas with Nicolas Cage was an unforgettable experience for director Mike Figgis, who revealed the actor’s extreme commitment to his role. Figgis told The Times of London that Cage’s dedication sometimes crossed the line.
Cage Drank a Bottle of Vodka Before a Scene
"He wanted to be drunk, for example, and I said no. He drank a bottle of vodka before one scene anyway and smashed up a casino," Figgis recalled. "He was completely and utterly drunk and I was furious. But then, looking at the film, it’s a great scene."
Figgis Met Francis Ford Coppola Through Cage
Working with Cage also introduced Figgis to the actor’s uncle, legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. Figgis shared that their collaboration led to a long-distance friendship and eventually inspired his own documentary.
"We had this fascinating chat and became long-distance friends. That’s how Megadoc came about," Figgis explained.
He also recounted advice from Coppola’s wife, Eleanor, about working with the Godfather director:
"Keep your eyes open because he’ll change his mind all the time."
Figgis’ Documentary ‘Megadoc’ Explores Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Struggle
Figgis directed 2025’s Megadoc, a documentary chronicling Coppola’s decades-long effort to bring his film Megalopolis to life. He argued that Coppola "blocked himself" from achieving the creative freedom he desired for the project.
Figgis also defended Coppola against criticism of the film:
"That was disrespectful. Without a doubt, Francis had something to say with the film."
He acknowledged that the documentary’s unexpected success may have exacerbated tensions:
"Had I made a film that I was passionate about and then somebody did a low-budget documentary which became critically successful, would I be pissed off? Probably the answer is publicly not but privately yes," Figgis admitted.
Full Interview Available at The Times of London
For more details, read the full interview with Mike Figgis in The Times of London.
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