Nicolas Cage: 'I was an anarchist actor'

Nicolas Cage has said that he used to be much more of an anarchist in his acting performances.

The star told Parade that his approach to the lead role in Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans reminded him of his past career.

Cage said: "When I started acting, I was much more of an anarchist. I was only interested in doing movies where I was rebellious and doing kind of punk rock, alternative performances.

"I neglected the mainstream side of the industry. I became aware that I was weirding myself right out of the business and I needed to have some balance."

He added: "Now, I'm at a point where I need to look for work that keeps me interested and keeps me excited about acting. I was up for the challenge and the risk of Bad Lieutenant."

Of his latest role, he added: "I was trying to find a way to play a guy who was high on crack and other illegal substances and at the same time be responsible and not glamorise the drugs or drug-taking but show the hideous effects.

"So, it's okay if people see my performance as a little out the window... I wasn't exactly sure I could do it, especially being totally sober, which I was."