The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent cast and character guide. Directed by Tom Gormican from a screenplay by him and Kevin Etten, the film breaks the fourth wall by having Nicolas Cage portraying a fictional version of himself — Nick Cage, an actor who can no longer land a major studio role and is in a lot of debt despite having starred in blockbusters like National Treasure.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a rare movie wherein an actor playing a version of themselves works on many levels. The plot itself combines various genres and it leans into the buddy comedy aspect quite a bit. It’s unclear where Gormican and Etten may have gotten the idea for the movie, but Cage certainly has no issue spoofing parts of his career and making meta jokes about the films he’s made and the movie industry at large.
Nicolas Cage is joined by a fantastic cast, with each role adding a significant amount of depth to the film and one scene partner who makes every interaction all the more fun and dynamic. Here is every actor in the film, which character they play, and where you’ve seen them before.
Nicolas Cage As Nick Cage
Nicolas Cage portrays Nick Cage, a fictionalized version of himself. He’s a washed up actor who can’t seem to get any major roles the way he used to. He also struggles to maintain a close relationship with his daughter and ex-wife, and is drowning in debt. Cage also plays Nicky Cage, the Wild at Heart version of the actor who appears to Nick Cage in moments of emotional crisis. Nicolas Cage is best known for his roles in Moonstruck, National Treasure, Face/Off, The Rock, Pig, Ghost Rider, Kick-Ass, Gone in 60 Seconds, and The Wicker Man.
Pedro Pascal as Javi Gutierrez
Javi Gutierrez is a billionaire who runs an olive business and is a huge fan of Nick Cage. Javi invites the actor to attend his birthday party and pays him a lot of money to do so. Javi is portrayed by Pedro Pascal, who is best known for his roles in The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984, Kingsman: The Secret Circle, Narcos, and The Mentalist.
Sharon Horgan As Olivia Henson
Olivia Henson is Nick Cage’s ex-wife and a former make-up artist who is tired of Nick Cage’s inability to pull himself together. Olivia is portrayed by Sharon Horgan, who is best known for the TV series Catastrophe, Together, Game Night, and voicing Queen Dagmar in Disenchantment.
Lily Sheen As Addy Cage
Addy Cage is Nick Cage’s daughter who is frustrated with her father for constantly putting his wants first. Addy is played by Lily Sheen, who has appeared in Everybody’s Fine, Click, and Underworld: Evolution.
Paco León As Lucas Gutierrez
Lucas is Javi’s cousin and is someone who is distrustful of Nick Cage. Lucas is played by Paco León, who is known for his roles in The House of Flowers, You Keep the Kids, and 7 Years.
Alessandra Mastronardi as Gabriela
Gabriela is the head of operations of the Gutierrez agricultural business. She is also Javi’s love interest. Gabriela is portrayed by Alessandra Mastronardi, who is best known for To Rome with Love, Master of None, and About Love.
Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent Supporting Cast & Characters
Tiffany Haddish as Vivian - Vivian is a CIA agent who recruits Nick Cage as a spy. Tiffany Haddish is known for Girls Trip, Keanu, Like a Boss, The Afterparty, Night School, and The Carmichael Show.
Ike Barinholtz as Martin - Martin is also a CIA agent and Vivian’s partner. Ike Barinholtz is known for his roles in Suicide Squad, Neighbors, The Mindy Project, and The Afterparty.
Jacob Scipio as Carlos - Carlos is one of Lucas’ henchmen. Jacob Scipio is known for The Outpost, Without Remorse, and Bad Boys for Life.
Neil Patrick Harris as Richard Fink - Fink is Cage’s agent in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent who encourages him to take the birthday party job. Neil Patrick Harris is best known for playing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Gone Girl, Starship Trooper, and the Analyst in The Matrix Resurrections.
Demi Moore as Olivia - Demi Moore plays the fictional version of Olivia in the movie within a movie. Moore is a well-known actress who has been in films such as Ghost, G.I. Jane, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Now and Then, and A Few Good Men.