I remember when Nicholas Cage was looked at as a well respected actor who played roles with intensity and charisma. Just look back at Raising Arizona and Leaving Las Vegas. The guy showed the world he has serious acting chops and, by god, he deserves our love. Yeah, he’s become a bit of a joke over the past few years (case in point) but not all of that was his fault. And the fact that he keeps taking on interesting and varied roles, from medieval knight to car thief to adventurer to demonic superhero, is something that should be admired.

That’s why I’m really excited for Mom and Dad, a new horror/thriller about a brother and sister who have to survive after their parents suddenly become homicidal and want to kill them. Cage will be playing the father, according to THR.

Director Brian Taylor, who also directed Ghost Rider, explains, “This is the kind of role Nick was put here to play. Human, funny, scary – somehow grounded while at the same time completely off the rails. For a film maker there is nothing quite like the experience of Nick Cage bringing a character you’ve written to life.”

The movie is expected to begin shooting in July.