(UKPA) 11 hours ago

Nicolas Cage has alluded to a terrifying life changing experience in New Orleans that had him fearing to return to the city.

The 45-year-old declined to reveal details of the event, but said it was sufficiently scary to prevent him going back to The Big Easy, until he requested that his latest movie Bad Lieutenant be filmed there in a bid to help him confront his fears.

During a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival he said: "I had this, without going into detail, this epiphany, this awakening and it both terrified me and compelled me... I felt blessed and cursed in New Orleans and I was afraid to go back to New Orleans."

He continued: "I knew I had to confront my fears and make a movie in New Orleans so I requested we film in New Orleans so I could go through this catharsis.

"I really didn't know which way it would go. It was either going to be beautiful or a disaster.

"The first day of filming I couldn't remember my lines but then it began to flow."

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