Nicolas Cage: Of myth and man

Nicolas Cage uses mythology to overcome his problems.

Oscar award winner Nicolas Cage poses for a photograph next to a film poster during a press conference to promote the film 'World Trade Center' in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday 12 September 2006. Oscar award winner Oliver Stone's film shows the desperate rescue attempts of firefighters and policemen. The film will be launched in Thailand on 21 September 2006. 11 September 2006 marked the fifth anniversary of the attacks that killed almost 3,000 people when terrorists hijacked passenger jets and aimed them at New York's World Trade Center and targets in the Washington DC. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRITThe 'Ghost Rider' actor believes the ethics and philosophy contained within myths are just as relevant today as they were when they were written, in some cases almost three thousand years ago.He said: "I like the Greek myths and I love mythology and you can use it. Right now I am very interested in Arthurian mythology and I think these things are there for a reason and you can use that to get through difficult walks of life."Meanwhile, Cage has confessed he is thrilled about getting the opportunity to play 'Ghost Rider' in the new comic book movie of the same name.The self-confessed comic book obsessive stars as stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who in the Marvel universe sells his soul to Satan in order to save the life of his mentor and ends up becoming a vengeful vigilante with a flaming skull for a head.Cage admits he jumped at the chance at playing the anti-hero because he was such a fan of the series as a child.He said: "It's not standard superhero fare, it doesn't follow any of those traditional rules. As a boy I was really attracted to the monsters that were in the Marvel universal, the Hulk and Ghost Rider, because I couldn't understand how something so terrifying could also be good, and it appealed to whatever complexities I was feeling about life, that paradox to me is inherently interesting."(C) BANG Media International