Every year, in honor of Nicolas Cage‘s birthday (which was technically two weeks ago, but things happen), the Austin Alamo Drafthouse has held a five(ish)-movie marathon dubbed “Caged,” never revealing the films in advance. The second year, they pledged that they would keep holding the event annually until the man himself actually showed up. At the fourth, it initially seemed like he might be involved…but only as curator of the movies to be shown.

And then this happened (skip to the six-minute mark if you want to get directly to the Nic of time):

If you need further persuasion, trust us that you never see Cage quite like this onscreen. Rattling off and enunciating every word with love for the language, it’s a nigh-Shakespearean performance, and yes, we’re saying that about the star of The Wicker Man (remake). Rather than alternating between bemused murmuring and loud, enunciated yelling (as he is wont to do) this performance takes its time and slowly builds until yes, by the end, he’s screaming himself hoarse. But don’t cheat and skip directly to that part: the power of it comes from everything that led him there. He’s so good at reading Edgar Allan Poe that one has to wonder if his Con Air character Cameron was somehow related.

Now that he has shown up, does that mean Drafthouse won’t keep doing these? We’d certainly hope not. In the end, all the world’s a “Caged,” and all the men and women total players. Shakespeare himself said that. (And then we misremembered it.)

Now, Kenneth Branagh, please find an excuse to direct this man in your next take on the Bard. Avon is calling!

What should Cage read dramatically next time? Suggest your best for the Bad Lieutenant below!

Image: Drafthouse/Facebook Live