Nicolas Cage Terrified Of AI — 'I Don't Want You To Do Anything With My Body And My Face When I'm Dead'

Nicolas Cage, the Oscar-winning actor known for his intense performances and eccentric lifestyle, recently unlocked a new fear — artificial intelligence. In an interview with The New Yorker last week, Cage expressed deep concerns about the rise of AI in the entertainment industry and what it will mean for the future of actors like himself. 

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He's seen firsthand how quickly technology can evolve and change the landscape of Hollywood. From CGI to deepfakes, the ability to create lifelike images and performances without the original actor is becoming more advanced and accessible. For Cage, this isn't just a technical issue — it's a deeply personal one, and he says he’s been "very vocal about it."

After the interview, he had to get two body scans done for a movie and TV show: "They have to put me in a computer and match my eye color and change — I don't know. They're just going to steal my body and do whatever they want with it via digital AI. God, I hope not AI. I'm terrified of that," says Cage before continuing, "I mean, what are you going to do with my body and my face when I'm dead? I don't want you to do anything with it!".

Cage worries that the unique, genuine performances that actors bring to the screen will be replaced by artificial reproductions, losing the human touch that makes art resonate with people. "Where will the truth of the artists end up?" he asks. 

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Cage’s worries aren’t baseless. The entertainment industry increasingly uses AI and digital technology to bring back dead actors or create performances without the actors being physically present. This opens up new ways to tell stories and raises ethical questions about consent and respecting an artist’s legacy.

Recently, writers and actors went on strike because they were worried about AI taking over their jobs, among other things. They feared AI could be used to write scripts or create performances, cutting out the need for real writers and actors.

Financial Troubles

Cage has had his fair share of ups and downs. He lost millions during the economic collapse and through Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, and in 2009, he lost two New Orleans homes worth $6.8 million in foreclosure because of $5.5 million unpaid mortgage payments and $151,730 in taxes. 

He also sued his former business manager, claiming over $20 million in losses since 2001, and has owed over $6 million in back taxes to the IRS.

According to CNBC, Cage got into financial trouble partly because he bought many expensive properties, like a $25 million home in Newport Beach and a $15.7 million estate in Rhode Island. He also owned two European castles, a $3.4 million haunted mansion in New Orleans, and an $8.5 million house in Las Vegas. 

On top of that, he made some wild purchases, like spending $150,000 on a pet octopus, $276,000 on a dinosaur skull, and getting a nine-foot-tall pyramid tomb.

To get out of his financial mess, Cage moved to Las Vegas and started taking on lots of film roles to earn money. He managed to pay off his debts without having to declare bankruptcy.

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