If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Dan Stevens is the 'new Nicolas Cage' says Star Trek Lower Decks showrunner

Few actors have a sense of range on par with Nicolas Cage, but Mike McMahan thinks Dan Stevens's work on Solar Opposites earns him a coveted designation

Dan Stevens in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Image credit: Legendary

Nicolas Cage is a singular, once-in-a-generation talent, but Dan Stevens has what it takes to become the Nic Cage of his own time. At least, that's what Star Trek: Lower Decks and Solar Opposites showrunner, Mike McMahan believes. And he has good reason! 

Speaking with our video producer, Ashley Victoria Robinson as part of our monthly Popversations video series, Mike McMahan spoke about the immense capabilities of Dan Stevens. McMahan and Stevens worked together on the animated show Solar Opposites. "I think of him as our new Nic Cage. He can play serious, he can play 'I'm a vampire king,' he can play 'I scrub King Kong's teeth,' he's so good at anything he does. But he really brings charm to all of it. He makes it bouncier than it could have been if it hadn't been him. We're lucky to have him on Solar [Opposites]." 

McMahan alludes to Stevens's varied roles across his career. In the film Abigail, Stevens played a detective who is later turned into a vampire. And he's easily the best part of the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where he does take care of Kong's teeth. Let's also not forget Stevens's role in the violent folk horror movie, Apostle, where he really goes through it, and his terrifying affect in The Guest. 

If you watch one of Dan Stevens's lighter performances, then you'll understand exactly what McMahan is talking about. There was absolutely no need for Stevens to make his supporting role in Godzilla x Kong as charming as it was. Even though I hated the movie, I was at least glad that Stevens was there, because I liked every minute of him onscreen. (He's looking to return for the sequel, too.)

If you're a Popverse member, you can watch Ashley Victoria Robinson's full conversation with Mike McMahan in Popversations right here. And if you're not a Popverse member, consider joining! We've got an incredible lineup of writers and actors for Ashley to interview this year, and you won't want to miss it. 


Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:

Jules Chin Greene

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, Multiverse of Color, and Screen Rant.

Comments

Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.

View Comments (0)

Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy