Cage feels the need for speed

When I won the Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas I made a conscious decision that I would do smaller films as well as big, action blockbusters. I was in the middle of making The Rock when I won the Oscar. Afterwards I thought it was best to forget about the award, not get high on myself - and not risk becoming pretentious as an actor.

I hope I'll continue to make movies that are thought-provoking and emotionally challenging - but I don't want to start smoking Gitanes and wearing a beret and saying I will only do that. Because I also have a love for popcorn movies like Gone In 60 Seconds.

In it I play a reformed car thief, Memphis Raines, who is called out of retirement to save his brother from the clutches of a vicious gangster (a Londoner, played by Christopher Eccleston). In order to do this he and his team must steal 50 luxury cars in one night.

The real challenge as an actor in action roles like this - while there is a formula to it - is that you have to be very concise. You can do what you want with the character, but make sure it serves the structure - because you have to keep this big engine rolling. But the real attraction is that ever since a kid I wanted to be Charles Bronson or Steve McQueen.

Audiences are smart, and when they go to action movies they want credible performances, to make the illusion more real. I want to believe that this guy can drive this car that fast. A lot of great actors are following suit, they're not worried about expressing themselves in a genre picture like this. They're doing it very well, it's been great for them in return.