As a huge fan of both Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, I was absolutely captivated by their unique dynamic in the movie “Longlegs.” The way director Oz Perkins kept them apart during filming until their pivotal scene together added an extra layer of tension and intrigue to their already intense characters.
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains light spoilers about “Longlegs,” now playing in theaters.
In “Longlegs,” Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe play the leading roles as serial killer pursuer and victim respectively. However, they seldom appear together on screen. An intriguing directing technique employed by Oz Perkins to build suspense during production was maintaining a physical distance between the two stars until their pivotal interrogation scene towards the end.
“Leading up to that point was quite chaotic according to Monroe. They had been working with Cage for five days, it being his final day and around three weeks into filming. The director opted to keep me in the dark, preventing any interaction or even a glimpse of his face. He crafted this enigmatic character that left me feeling anxious.”
She went on, “The PAs guided me to this door leading into the room where he was. As the cameras began recording and the director announced ‘action,’ I opened the door to reveal an unexpected sight. Everything was genuine, and it was an amazing experience. He looked completely different, so much so that I didn’t feel like I was in a room with Nic Cage. Instead, I was in the presence of Longlegs. After completing that scene, he snapped out of his method acting trance. We sat facing each other, and in his full character, he confessed, ‘I’m such a big fan of yours.’ “
In a recent chat with EbMaster, Cage shared how Monroe’s debut performance left a lasting impression on him.
“After seeing ‘It Follows,’ I was drawn to her performance. I was particularly moved by the initial scenes where she’s confined to a wheelchair and being pushed around. Her resilience throughout the film touched me deeply. Her acting style is distinctive, setting her apart from others. Maika Monroe possesses a unique personality and energy that makes her stand out from the crowd. It’s a high compliment to say she’s unlike anyone else.”
Cage also discussed the intensity of their scene together.
Cage shared that it was crucial for him and the director that Maika and I didn’t socialize much off-set. The director believed this would make our unexpected scene together more impactful, a concept I agreed with. Before working together, I openly expressed my admiration for her talent since I had long been a fan of hers. Our interactions were limited, with only a few lines exchanged between us that weren’t part of the script.
I’m deeply captivated by Maika’s on-screen presence. Her performances seem so natural and effortless to me, as if I’m merely peeking into her real life. There’s a charming innocence about the way she acts that draws me in, all the more compelling considering the tragic backstory of her character Lee Harker, who lost her childhood. Despite this hardship, Maika manages to exude an endearing grace and vulnerability that makes you care for both the character and herself as an artist. I may not know Maika personally, but through her films, she’s able to touch my heart with her exceptional ability to disappear into her roles – a talent that leaves me in awe.
Perkins said he was happy to let Cage approach the role in any way he saw fit.
“Working with Nic Cage in your film is like adding a wild tiger to the set,” he explained. “You don’t instruct a tiger on how to act or what to eat. Instead, you allow its natural power and presence to take over. With an iconic actor like him, who’s a legend in Hollywood and among the greatest movie stars of all time, you want to give him the freedom to perform. You can discuss ideas with him, answer his questions, and provide guidance when necessary.”
“However, Nick made it known right from the start, in a cordial manner, that he didn’t plan on socializing or meeting new people. He wasn’t being aloof or acting strangely; I could still interact with him during breaks and filming. His concentration was impressive as he didn’t attend dinners, hang out, or engage in small talk. I had exclusive access to Nick which proved beneficial for me since it allowed me to keep him away from Maika until they filmed their one scene together.”
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2024-07-17 00:46