Nicolas Cage has never been more domesticated onscreen than as sweater-wearing Nathan Gardner – loving husband, father of two, Volvo driver and alpaca farmer – in "Color Out of Space."

That doesn't last long.

Gardner's disposition drastically changes in the Richard Stanley-directed sci-fi horror film (in theaters Friday) after a meteorite lands in the front yard, leading to tragic consequences. Especially for those alpacas (come on, you saw that coming).

Eccentric Oscar winner Cage, 56, spoke to USA TODAY about his foray into horror, the prospects for alien visitation and what to do when meteorites land in your yard.

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Question: You start out so normal in "Color Out of Space" and then end up "Shining" crazy. What happened?

Nicolas Cage: We're combining a family drama with some pretty terrible stuff in the horror genre. Those are two genres I really like, and there's this collision between the two. The producers asked, 'What's your favorite genre?' I love ordinary people. They said, 'If you love ordinary people, have we got a script for you.' They sent me this family drama that transmogrifies into a nightmare horror film. And I loved it.

Q: Does the concept of alien visitation fill you with hope or dread?

Cage: It's certainly worth noting that arguably the smartest man of the last century, Stephen Hawking, said we shouldn't make contact with alien life because it most likely will be dangerous. But for me, I think it would be very exciting. I remember once I met Carl Sagan at dinner a million years ago, I must have been 10. It was at my uncle's (Francis Ford Coppola) house, I think while he was directing "The Godfather: Part II." I didn't know who Carl Sagan was, but I found out he was a scientist of the universe. And I asked him if he believed in life in outer space. He said, 'Absolutely, but I don't believe they'll come down here in flying saucers, But I think they're out there.' "

Q: "Color Out of Space" makes a clear case for proper, immediate meteorite disposal. Have you given this thought?

Cage: I was very lucky. At one time, I actually owned a slab of a Martian meteorite. It was actually quite famous because people thought there were microbes in it that may connote life and then that (theory) had been debunked. It's probably worth a fortune now. But, sadly, I think it was stolen from my house. There was a time when things were getting stolen from my properties, and that one went.

But I would be thrilled if a meteorite landed in my backyard. To know I have something from the Milky Way or somewhere in the universe is very exciting. It's not something that is entirely unlikely, either. I mean, there are meteorites constantly landing.

Q: Camels can be difficult co-stars. How were the alpacas?

Cage: The alpacas were actually very sweet, gentle animals, not nasty at all, with beautiful eyes. They do have a kind of a comical appearance. It's hard not to laugh when you're looking at them, and the word "alpaca" is kind of funny. I enjoy the word alpaca. Sometimes camels get angry and they hiss sort of, and the llama can spit at you. But the alpaca was quite nice.

Q: So you've had a tough camel experience?

Cage: I had to ride a camel in the movie "Army of One." His name was Mickey Mouse, and he just was not a happy camel. He was just always kind of hissing and frustrated, and I felt bad for him. But they wanted me to ride the camel. I did. I'm friends with all animals, and I felt bad for Mickey Mouse. That’s all.

Q: In "Color Out of Space," you lose it in your Volvo. I was worried you might have injured yourself hitting the ceiling of a solid car. Did you?

Cage: It's an opportunity that I look for in movies, ever since I saw Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces" and he kind of loses it and really freaks out. I put that in the movie I directed, "Sonny," with James Franco. I told him, you're alone, and you've got to lose it, just throw your body into it. Whenever I get a chance to do that, I go for it.

But I didn't hurt myself. I try to be careful with the choreography of a performance. It's like a controlled state of being out of control. Anything goes in this moment, and let it rip.

Q: Kesha made it clear on Twitter that she's a major fan and hit up the "Color" premiere in Los Angeles to meet you. What was that like?

Cage: Kesha is a great lady, and we had a lot of fun. I've always admired Kesha for the music, she's incredibly talented. I was happy to meet her, and she was interested in the movie. So it was a nice time.