Nicolas Cage to Star in David Gordon Green's JOE

Nicolas Cage is set to star in David Gordon Green's new film Joe, which is based on a novel written by Larry Brown. The film will tell the story of an "ex-con who becomes the unlikeliest of role models to 15-year-old Gary Jones, the oldest child of a homeless family ruled by a drunk, worthless father. Together they try to find a path to redemption and the hope for a better life in the rugged, dirty world of small town Mississippi."

Gordon Green had this to say in a statement,

When Larry Brown wrote the novel Joe, he instantly created an iconic character of contemporary Southern literature. It is with great excitement that I've been able to work with Nicolas Cage to design an absolute and unexpected performance piece that is woven from the darkness, beauty, humor and environment of this material.

Cage has made some really good films in his career, he has it in him to give great performances. Unfortunately, most of the time he ends up picking terrible roles. His last good role was Big Daddy in Kick-Ass. This film could be another good movie for him, but only time will tell. I know there's not a lot of love out there for Cage these days, but he has made some good movies, hopefully this will be one of them, especially under the direction of Gordon Green who has also made Pineapple Express and Your Highness.

What are your thoughts on Cage's involvement with this project?

Here's a description from the book:

Nearing fifty, Joe Ransom won't slow down, not in his pickup, not with a gun-and certainly not with women. But all the fast living in Mississippi won't fill the hunger Joe can't name. At fifteen, Gary Jones is already slipping through the cracks. Part of a hopeless, homeless wandering family, he's desperate for a way out. He finds it in Joe. Together they follow a twisting map to redemption-or ruin An understated, powerful, beautiful evocation of a place, a time, a people.