While Hollywood tends to surprise us each day with new reports and facts, today let’s take a look at one such dazzling revelation, involving two cinematic powerhouses: Francis Ford Coppola and Nicolas Cage. Over the years, the two entertainment giants have become synonymous with iconic films and unforgettable performances, but only a few people realize that these two legends are actually related.
Considering that Francis Ford Coppola and Nicolas Cage have different surnames and have rarely worked together since the 80s, people often fail to understand how the duo could be related. But surprisingly the man behind The Godfather and the actor who famously played Ghost Rider, share a bloodline. So let’s take a look at their fascinating family tree and discover how the luminaries are related.
How are Francis Ford Coppola and Nicolas Cage Related?
Among several iconic Hollywood families like the Baldwins, Skarsgårds, and Kardashians, one family tree that stands tall is the Coppolas. Now you might not know but Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage happens to be a part of that family. Although it might seem unlikely, Cage is directly related to legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
According to ComingSoon.Net, director Francis Ford Coppola and actor Nicolas Cage share a familial bond that goes beyond the Hollywood spotlight. Coppola, the mastermind behind The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, is apparently Cage’s uncle by blood. The actor’s father, August Coppola, is the filmmaker’s brother, making Cage a part of the Coppola clan.
Despite their differences in professional choices—one behind the camera and the other venturing into acting—Coppola and Cage share the same passion for storytelling. Perhaps, their family ties have shaped much of their careers. Therefore, out of that passion for storytelling, Cage once wished to be a part of his uncle’s renowned project—The Godfather trilogy.
Nicolas Cage Begged to Appear in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III may not have been as universally loved as its predecessors, but it still managed to capture a special place in the hearts of film buffs. And in a twist from the pages of an old family drama, Nicolas Cage had apparently pleaded with his uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, to cast him in the movie.
According to Cage’s appearance on THR’s actors’ roundtable alongside other Hollywood stars, the Oscar winner revealed the embarrassing story of when he practically begged his uncle to let him appear in The Godfather Part III. The actor wished to play the role of Sonny Corleone’s (James Caan) son Vincent Corleone (played by Andy García), in the movie.
I said, ‘I really think I ought to be in your movie, Uncle. I really think it’s a good idea if you would cast me. I think I could play this part.’ He was going to cast Andy Garcia.
I said, ‘But I just see myself more as James Caan’s son, and he’s playing Sonny’s son. He’s not playing Michael’s son. He’s Sonny’s son. I just feel a little more James Caan.’
Unfortunately, after Nicolas Cage’s futile begging, the role went to Andy García, who undoubtedly played the character with the required gravitas. Meanwhile, although Cage faced embarrassing rejection from his own family, his persistence became a testament to his admiration for his uncle’s legendary work.
Why did Nicolas Cage Change His Last Name in the Industry?
Getting rejected by his uncle undoubtedly served as a major learning experience for Nicolas Cage, during the early 90s. But coming from a family of masterminds, the actor required no lessons to realize how his last name by birth could affect his career. Well, according to Deadline reports, the Moonstruck actor realized early on that going by the Coppola surname might land him into treacherous waters of nepotism.
Therefore, after his first film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), the actor changed his name from Nicolas Kim Coppola to Nicolas Cage. In an attempt to get away from unwanted attention and expectations associated with the Coppola surname, Cage changed his last name as a strategic move to carve out his own identity.
I did a little movie called Fast Times at Ridgemont High. When I was on set, some of the other actors couldn’t believe I had talent because I was Coppola’s nephew.
Directors are a pretty egocentric bunch, and they’re a very competitive group. I didn’t think any filmmaker in their own right would want the name Coppola above the title of their movie. So, I changed my name predominantly because of that.
Born Nicolas Kim Coppola, Cage wanted to distinguish himself from the towering legacy of his uncle, and his other famous family members. Therefore taking inspiration from two of the major influences in his life, Luke Cage and John Cage, the actor opted for the surname Cage (via Wired).
Nicolas Cage Disagreed with His Uncle About Marvel Movies
Meanwhile, over the years, apart from Nicolas Cage’s self-made changes to his surname, and his initial rejection from his uncle, the actor has had his fair share of disagreements with Francis Ford Coppola. Despite being part of a family that has made its mark on cinema, Cage disagreed with the director regarding Marvel movies.
Speaking to GQ magazine, Nicolas Cage defended superhero movies against the open criticisms made by top filmmakers like his uncle and Martin Scorsese. After Francis Ford Coppola made headlines in 2019 for calling Marvel movies “despicable”, Cage clapped back at the comment stating that he doesn’t “understand the conflict”.
I don’t understand the conflict. I don’t agree with them on that perception or opinion… Marvel has done a really excellent job of entertaining the whole family. They put a lot of thought into it.
I mean, it’s definitely had a big progression from when I was doing the first two ‘Ghost Rider’ movies… What could be wrong with wholesome entertainment that is appealing to the parents and the children?
While Francis Ford Coppola has been vocal about his disdain for superhero blockbusters, particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cage, on the other hand, has enjoyed being part of the superhero craze, following his appearance in Ghost Rider (2007). Therefore, although Cage claimed to respect his uncle’s opinion, the actor noted finding no reason to hate Marvel, unlike Coppola and Scorsese.
Every Famous Coppola Family Member in Hollywood?
Finally, after learning a whole lot about Nicolas Cage and his relationship with Francis Ford Coppola, let’s take a look at other influential figures in the entertainment industry who belong to the Coppola family. Beginning with the filmmaker’s father Carmine Coppola, who happened to be an award-winning composer and musician contributing music to many of his son’s films, including The Godfather trilogy (via People).
Followed by the director’s older brother, author and academic August Coppola, and a younger sister, Oscar-nominated actress Talia Shire, the Coppola family has had talent running in their veins. So much so that two of Talia Shire’s sons have contributed to the entertainment industry, her first son Matthew Shire happens to be a screenwriter and producer, while her son Robert is best known for The Virgin Suicides (1999) and The Princess Diaries (2001).
Then there’s Francis Ford Coppola’s youngest child Sofia Coppola, who is perhaps the most well-known of the next generation. Making her debut as an infant in The Godfather, the 53-year-old has carved out her own niche in filmmaking, with critically acclaimed works like Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides, and the 2023 Elvis Presley biopic Priscilla.
Francis Ford Coppola’s second son Roman Coppola happens to be a director and screenwriter who got his start by working on his father’s films like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Jack and The Rainmaker. Later on, he directed two feature films, CQ (2001) and A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (2012).
Amid all these names, while we all know about Nicolas Cage, who changed his surname, there’s his brother Marc Coppola, who decided to keep his notable last name in the business (via ScreenRant). Considering that he is famously known for his DJ career, where he’s worked for KGB-FM in San Diego and WAXQ and WLTW in New York City, Cage’s brother has also appeared in minor roles in Apocalypse Now, The Cotton Club, Sonny, and more.
