Massive talent: That’s why Nicolas Cage changed his last name a long time ago

• The action comedy “Massive Talent” has been in German cinemas since June 16, 2022.
• In the film you see Hollywood star Nicolas Cage in the leading role. Alongside him are Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish and Neil Patrick Harris.
• Here’s why Cage decided against his real last name Coppola in the ’80s.

Nicolas Cage is one of Hollywood’s most colorful figures, known for his unconventional methods of method acting and his inability to handle money. Having acted in numerous films – some more successful than others – since the 1980s, ‘Massive Talent’ is a comedy based on his own life.

In it, Nicolas Cage plays the actor Nick Cage, who has big financial problems after many unsuccessful films. So he allows himself to be persuaded to perform at a billionaire’s party for money. That unleashes a catastrophe. What many young Nic Cage fans don’t know: The actor’s real name isn’t even that. His real last name is Coppola. He descends from one of the most successful families in Hollywood.

Cage is the nephew of famed director and producer Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire. In her brother’s “The Godfather” trilogy, she played the role of Connie Corleone alongside Francis’ son Roman Coppola, who also has both feet firmly planted in show business. Francis’ daughter Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation”) is also one of the best directors in Hollywood.

Nicolas Cage’s own brother Marc Coppola is also in the business, but he is more successful as a musician. Also part of the Coppola clan are Cage’s cousins ​​Jason (“Fargo”) and Robert Schwartzman, who often play in Sofia’s film productions. As you can see, you can get lost in the Coppola family if you don’t have as much success as your relatives.

Cage probably didn’t want to take that risk. After his first film roles, which he accepted under his real name Nicolas Coppola, he changed his last name in 1983 when his uncle cast him for a role in the film “Rumble Fish”. Tired of casting agents constantly asking his last name and his connection to Francis, Nic preferred to be seen for his acting talent.

But why Cage? The ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ actor is a huge superhero fan and his new last name is an ode to Marvel character Luke Cage. Cage even named his own son after a superhero. His name is Kal-El, which is Superman’s Kryptonian name.

His family didn’t blame him for the decision to change his name, even though Francis Coppola decided against his nephew when casting the “The Godfather” trilogy. Nicolas Cage was able – perhaps because of his new surname – to get hold of numerous roles in Hollywood and even received an Academy Award. You can now see his acting talent back on screen in “Massive Talent”.