#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION
Regarding the film Kick-Ass (2010), who was the most famous actor in it at the time of release, and what other notable films were they in?
#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE
At the time of the release of Kick-Ass in 2010, the most famous actor in the film was undoubtedly Nicolas Cage.
While the movie served as a breakout role for Chloë Grace Moretz (Hit-Girl) and helped solidify Aaron Johnson (now Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as a leading man, Nicolas Cage was already a global superstar, an Academy Award winner, and a veteran of the film industry with over two decades of leading roles in blockbuster films.
Notable Films Prior to 2010
By the time he played Damon Macready (Big Daddy) in Kick-Ass, Cage’s filmography was extensive and covered multiple genres:
1. Action Blockbusters:
Cage was one of the biggest action stars of the late 1990s. His most notable roles in this genre include:
- The Rock (1996): Playing a chemical weapons expert alongside Sean Connery.
- Con Air (1997): Playing Cameron Poe, a paroled Army Ranger trapped on a hijacked prison transport plane.
- Face/Off (1997): An iconic performance where he and John Travolta "swapped faces."
- Gone in 60 Seconds (2000): Playing a master car thief.
2. Family and Adventure Hits:
- National Treasure (2004) and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007): He played Benjamin Franklin Gates in these massive Disney hits, which cemented his status as a box-office draw for all ages.
3. Critically Acclaimed and Award-Winning Roles:
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995): Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic.
- Adaptation (2002): He received another Oscar nomination for playing twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman.
- Raising Arizona (1987): An early career-defining role in the Coen Brothers' cult classic comedy.
- Moonstruck (1987): A romantic lead role opposite Cher, which remains a staple of the genre.
4. Previous Comic Book Work:
- Ghost Rider (2007): Before joining the cast of Kick-Ass, Cage had already entered the superhero world playing Marvel’s Johnny Blaze.
Why his presence in Kick-Ass was significant
In 2010, Cage’s career was beginning to transition into the "eccentric" phase for which he is now legendary, but he was still considered a massive "get" for an independent-style R-rated superhero movie. His performance as Big Daddy was widely praised for being a loving tribute to Adam West’s 1960s Batman, and his star power provided the film with the mainstream legitimacy it needed to reach a wider audience.
#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)
[1] Nicolas Cage was the only established A-list star in the cast. Mark Strong was a known character actor, but not a household name like Cage.
[2] Aaron Johnson was credited as such in 2010; he changed his name to Aaron Taylor-Johnson in 2012. Moretz was a child actor whose fame skyrocketed after this film.
[3] Cage's run of action films in the late 90s is historically significant for his career trajectory.
[4] The Rock (1996) is a verified credit.
[5] Con Air (1997) is a verified credit.
[6] Face/Off (1997) is a verified credit.
[7] Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) is a verified credit.
[8] National Treasure films were major box office hits released prior to 2010.
[9] Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Leaving Las Vegas at the 1996 ceremony.
[10] Cage was nominated for Best Actor for Adaptation at the 2003 ceremony.
[11] Raising Arizona (1987) is a verified credit.
[12] Moonstruck (1987) is a verified credit.
[13] Ghost Rider (2007) predates Kick-Ass (2010).
[14] Kick-Ass was independently produced by Marv Films and later distributed by Lionsgate.
[15] Cage has repeatedly cited Adam West as the primary inspiration for his vocal delivery as Big Daddy.
#C RELATED QUERIES
#01 Did Brad Pitt have a cameo in Kick-Ass?
#02 What other superhero movies has Nicolas Cage been in?
#03 Did Nicolas Cage do his own stunts in Kick-Ass?
At the time of the release of **Kick-Ass** in 2010, the most famous actor in the film was undoubtedly **Nicolas Cage**.
While the movie served as a breakout role for Chloë Grace Moretz (Hit-Girl) and helped solidify Aaron Johnson (now Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as a leading man, Nicolas Cage was already a global superstar, an Academy Award winner, and a veteran of the film industry with over two decades of leading roles in blockbuster films.
### Notable Films Prior to 2010
By the time he played Damon Macready (Big Daddy) in *Kick-Ass*, Cage’s filmography was extensive and covered multiple genres:
**1. Action Blockbusters:**
Cage was one of the biggest action stars of the late 1990s. His most notable roles in this genre include:
* **The Rock (1996):** Playing a chemical weapons expert alongside Sean Connery.
* **Con Air (1997):** Playing Cameron Poe, a paroled Army Ranger trapped on a hijacked prison transport plane.
* **Face/Off (1997):** An iconic performance where he and John Travolta "swapped faces."
* **Gone in 60 Seconds (2000):** Playing a master car thief.
**2. Family and Adventure Hits:**
* **National Treasure (2004) and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007):** He played Benjamin Franklin Gates in these massive Disney hits, which cemented his status as a box-office draw for all ages.
**3. Critically Acclaimed and Award-Winning Roles:**
* **Leaving Las Vegas (1995):** Cage won the **Academy Award for Best Actor** for his portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic.
* **Adaptation (2002):** He received another Oscar nomination for playing twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman.
* **Raising Arizona (1987):** An early career-defining role in the Coen Brothers' cult classic comedy.
* **Moonstruck (1987):** A romantic lead role opposite Cher, which remains a staple of the genre.
**4. Previous Comic Book Work:**
* **Ghost Rider (2007):** Before joining the cast of *Kick-Ass*, Cage had already entered the superhero world playing Marvel’s Johnny Blaze.
### Why his presence in *Kick-Ass* was significant
In 2010, Cage’s career was beginning to transition into the "eccentric" phase for which he is now legendary, but he was still considered a massive "get" for an independent-style R-rated superhero movie. His performance as Big Daddy was widely praised for being a loving tribute to Adam West’s 1960s *Batman*, and his star power provided the film with the mainstream legitimacy it needed to reach a wider audience.