The Bizarre Nicolas Cage Conspiracy Theory Explained

Nicolas Cage isn't unfamiliar with bizarre situations. This eccentric Hollywood star bought one of the most infamous homes in New Orleans and then had to build a pyramid in the city's oldest cemetery to try and break a curse — yeah, he knows weird. Cage's recent film, "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent," is all the proof you need that he understands the tropes about him. As he told The Guardian in 2013, he's aware of the internet's fascination with him: "The internet has developed this thing about me — and I'm not even a computer guy, you know? I don't know why it is happening. I'm trying not to... lemme say this: I'm now of the mindset that, when in Rome, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Cage added that the fandom around him is "affection loaded with irony." Being in "Massive Talent" was Cage's response to this obsessive fan culture. But there is one particularly bizarre conspiracy theory circa 2011 around the actor that is almost too weird for words. Although Cage certainly had some words about the theory.

In September 2011, someone on eBay posited that the photo he was auctioning off circa 1870 was proof that Nicolas Cage is a vampire, according to The Washington Post. On February 9, 2012 Cage addressed the bonkers conspiracy theory on David Letterman. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Cage denied the claim."There is a resemblance, but — how can I be polite about this? — it's a somewhat slowed down version of me," he told Letterman, via the Post. He went on to add that he doesn't drink blood and has a reflection in the mirror.

Though the eBay seller eventually took down his listing, which at the time was going for $1 million, the listing explained his thinking. "Personally, I believe it's him and that he is some sort of walking undead / vampire, et cetera, who quickens / reinvents himself once every 75 years or so," the listing explained, according to THR. The listing went on to suggest that, in 150 years, the vampire Cage could be a politician, a cult leader, or even a talk show host. (There is irony there since Cage denied the claim on a talk show.)

In a fascinating turn of events, a decade later, Nicolas Cage is starring in a film inspired by Dracula. His forthcoming film, "Renfield," centers on the henchman who works for Dracula from Bram Stoker's version of the story. In the film, Cage plays Dracula the vampire. Cage told Variety's "Awards Circuit" podcast that he is a huge fan of the original book and enjoyed going through the various iterations of cinematic Draculas of the past in preparation for the film.

Unlike the other versions, however, "Renfield" is a horror-comedy which is something Cage was particularly excited about. "What makes it super fun is that it's a comedy," he told Variety. "And when you get that tone right — comedy and horror — like 'American Werewolf in London,' it's a blast." So maybe the vampire Cage theory came in handy after all? Or this is just part of a very, very long-con? It seems we will have to wait and see.