While many have praised the casting of McShane as Mr. Wednesday, American Gods nearly starred a different actor: Nicolas Cage.
It’s hard to imagine a better actor for the role of Mr. Wednesday than McShane.
The role does require a lot of charisma, which Cage does have in spades; perhaps this is why he was initially considered.
“You know, it’s a good point and I’ve been invited many times to go on a show, one of which was on Neil Gaiman’s American Gods to play Mr. Wednesday, which was a great part, beautifully written.