Nicolas Cage's Response to Owen Wilson's Acclaim as an Ideal Co-Star A Remarkable Talent (Exclusive)

It appears that Owen Wilson isn't the solitary actor harboring a desire to share the screen with the illustrious Nicolas Cage.

In response to Wilson's assertion that Cage is his dream scene partner, the acclaimed Face/Off actor commends Wilson as a "remarkable talent."

"I would be thrilled to collaborate with Owen," shares Cage, now 59, with PEOPLE. "I have admired him ever since his appearance in Bottle Rocket."

The Oscar-winning star further notes that Wilson, aged 54, possesses an unparalleled uniqueness, albeit with a faint resemblance to the esteemed Dennis Hopper.

Recalling an anecdote that solidifies his belief in Wilson's likeness to the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Easy Rider and actor from Hoosiers, Cage remarks, "Many years ago, I hosted a grand gathering at my DTLA apartment, and Owen was present. I found myself standing across the room with Jack Nicholson, both of us observing Owen. I asked Jack, 'Do you not see a physical and energetic resemblance to Dennis Hopper in him?' To which Jack inquired, 'Him?' I confirmed, 'Yes.' And there we stood, observing Owen a while longer, before indulging in some lemon tart."

Wilson, whose appearances include the Bob Ross-inspired Paint this year and the upcoming Haunted Mansion remake, directed by Justin Simien (to hit theaters on July 28), expressed that Cage was the first to come to mind when asked about his desired co-star, having cherished Cage's performances in numerous films.

If Cage's reaction is any indication, audiences may indeed be treated to witnessing these two luminaries share the screen.

Earlier this year, Cage took the lead in the horror-comedy Renfield, portraying Dracula, and he will next grace the screen alongside Joel Kinnaman in the thriller Sympathy for the Devil (to be released on July 28). The cinematic icon also recently depicted a version of himself in the comedic masterpiece The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, as well as a fleeting glimpse of Superman in The Flash—a long-awaited rendition that never saw the light of day, but would have cast Cage as the Man of Steel.

Indeed, the breakout film Bottle Rocket, dating back to 1996, brought Cage to the attention of Hollywood insiders, including the creative duo of Wes Anderson and his former University of Texas dorm mate.

Their creative journey commenced with the writing of plays and screenplays, with Anderson encouraging Wilson to venture into the world of acting.

Wilson reminisces, "It was Wes who expressed his wish for my brother Luke and me to portray the characters. And clearly, his vision has only grown and solidified since then," evident through his successes like Rushmore, the Oscar-nominated The Royal Tenenbaums, and this year's Asteroid City.

"I recently attended Willie Nelson's 90th birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl," recalls Wilson with a smile, "and suddenly, I hear someone exclaim, 'Ca-CAW'—a reference to Bottle Rocket. I turn around, and there's a gentleman pointing at me. The fact that a film which garnered modest box office results could leave such a lasting impression on someone even three decades later is truly heartening."