Highfire: Everything We Know So Far About The Series Where Nicolas Cage Plays A Vodka-Loving Dragon
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Nicolas Cage has played some odd roles over the years. He's been a comic book character with a flaming skull in "Ghost Rider," twin brothers in "Adaptation," a noir superhero in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," and a fictional version of himself in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent." His new role is one of the craziest I've seen, though hearing yourself say out loud that Nicolas Cage is playing a vodka-loving dragon doesn't sound as weird as it probably should.
Cage is voicing the lead role in the upcoming TV series "Highfire," based on the novel by Eoin Colfer, according to Deadline. Honestly, could you think of a better person to voice a role like this? There is no one who has Cage's distinctive combo of on-screen likeability, in-your-face acting, and strange project choices. Let's dive into what this show is all about, where we can see it, and who else is involved in "Highfire."
What we think Highfire will be about
I'm going to try to make sense of this story from the Amazon description. The whole thing sounds pretty fabulous. I don't think I'd say that if Nicolas Cage wasn't playing the alcoholic dragon, but I could spend a week trying to come up with a more Nic Cage role and I couldn't beat this.
The novel by Colfer is the story of the last dragon on Earth. In the past, he was known as Wyvern, Lord Highfire, a powerful dragon, but now he's just Vern, a lonely creature who hides in a swamp in Louisiana, wearing a "Flashdance" t-shirt. He lights cigarettes with the fire from his snout, watches too much TV, and drinks a whole lot of vodka to keep the loneliness at bay.
One day he meets a teenager nicknamed Squib, who is trying to survive by working for a smuggler. Things get messy when he witnesses a murder on his first night on the job. When Squib runs into Vern, he makes a deal. He can get Vern his vodka, and help keep him company in exchange for Vern's protection. Will they be able to save each other, or will they both go out in a blaze of glory?
The live-action drama series is called a "gritty crime thriller" by the site, which announced the project in 2020. You can be forgiven if even something this bizarre slipped right by you that year. I mean, there were murder hornets in the news.
Where and when to watch Highfire
At first, "Highfire" was said to be set for production at Amazon, and Cage was attached to voice the role back then as well. Now the site is reporting that the series has moved to Paramount+, although they say the streamer declined to comment. Paramount+ is humming at the moment, with Taylor Sheridan-created series like "Yellowstone," "I883," and "The Mayor of Kingstown," all the "Star Trek" series, hits like "Evil," and the video game series "Halo." I'm not sure how this fits in with the rest, but if I didn't have the service already, Nic Cage as a dragon who swills vodka would absolutely sell it to me.
There is no word on when the show will air, but I long for that day. The site calls "Highfire" a combo of "True Detective" meets "Pete's Dragon." That description makes me think I'm hallucinating this entire story, but I love it.
What we know about the cast and crew of Highfire
Obviously, we know who is playing the dragon, who hides out during the day with the alligators. There is no word yet on who will play Squib, or another character — a dirty cop named Regence Hooke, who Squib has dangerous information on. What we do know about is some of the production side of things.
The series is being adapted by Davey Holmes. He's the man behind the "Get Shorty" series on Epix. Holmes and Cage will both executive produce the dragon project with Andrew Mittman from 1.21, through his MGM production deal. MGM will produce the show.
As for who should play Squib, I'd love to see what someone like Joseph Quinn — who played the breakout character Eddie Munson in "Stranger Things" — would do opposite Cage, even in voice actor form. Since Squib is described as 15 years old though, that might not work. If they choose to make him a bit older, that's my vote.
We'll keep you abreast of any updates on the new series.