Nicolas Cage says he wanted to remind audiences that he could deliver 'very quiet' and 'minimal' performances with his new movie The Frozen Ground.
The actor plays s State Trooper on the hunt for a murderer in the Scott Walker directed movie.
The film is based on the true events and the string of murders committed by Robert Hansen - played by John Cusack in the movie.
Cage has been known for his slightly eccentric characters and action roles over the years, but he wanted to tackle something very different with this project.
Speaking to the Press Association the actor said: "My natural instinct is to try everything, but I made a decision and I explained to Scott [Walker, The Frozen Ground's writer and director] that I was going to be reserved.
"I think if you look at my filmography, I've always tried to be eclectic and mix it up a bit, but after a run of sort of operatic horror films where I was exploring the boundaries of film acting, I thought it was time to remind folk that I'm also capable at very quiet and minimal performance."
"This job, I didn't take it lightly, because it's [based on] real life. I didn't want to approach it with any fireworks. I wanted it to be very direct."
Cage and Cusack are joined on the cast list by Vanessa Hudgens, Dean Norris and Radha Mitchell.
Cage has already enjoyed box office success this year as he lent his voice to animation smash The Croods.
He has also completed work on Joe and Tokarev; the latter sees him team up with director Paco Cabezas.
The Frozen Ground is out now.
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