India gains new leading man in Nic Cage

NEW DELHI, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- An upcoming cinematic adaptation of the popular comic "The Sadhu" from India will feature U.S. actor Nicolas Cage as its leading man.

The 42-year-old Cage has signed on as the lead actor in the Virgin Comics production that will find its Indian concepts adapted to the screen by popular author Deepak Chopra, The Press Trust of India reports.

The film, like its comic predecessor, will focus on the Indian Sadhus' mystical traditions that allow Cage's character, James Jensen, to garner supernatural abilities.

Chopra said that having the "Leaving Las Vegas" star as the film's lead is perfect to showcase archetypal energies of the profane and the sacred that is the underlying theme in "The Sadhu."

Cage completed similar work starring as the U.S. comic hero Ghost Rider for an upcoming film.

The Press Trust reported that the actor also is working with his 15-year-old son, Weston, on a voodoo-based comic book to be distributed by Virgin.