The Dresden Files was about a contemporary wizard living in modern day Chicago by the same of Harry Dresden whom in the novel changes is even called Ragged Wizard for his shabby, unkept, unshaven appearance.
Nicolas Cage's fondness for The Occult and love of comic books as well as his fondness of The Dresden Files were relatively well known.
Roughly around the time of The Dresden Files TV series' 'non-renewal' Nicolas Cage signed on to be both star and executive producer for a new Disney film called Sorcerer's Apprentice. Many people mistakenly believe the film is based on the famous Mickey mouse short from Fantasia. It's not. The Mickey mouse short as well as one scene in the film are both based on an eighteenth century poem by Goethe (author of Faust). Goethe even gets credit in the Sorcerer's Apprentice film credits.
The majority of Sorcerer's Apprentice, including the physical appearance of Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage's character) are based upon Harry Dresden of The Dresden Files. Here is a side by side comparison for those who doubt me.
The cover art of The Dresden Files short story collection Side Jobs featuring the character Harry Dresden to the left, and Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake of Sorcerer's Apprentice to the right.
The cover art for the Dresden Files novel Changes featuring the character Harry Dresden to the left, and Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake of Sorcerer's Apprentice to the right.
The cover art for The Dresden Files: Storm Front Volume 1 Graphic novel featuring the character Harry Dresden to the left casting an electric blue protection sheid, and Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake of Sorcerer's Apprentice conjuring a plasma blast to the right.
Art work from the official 2009 Dresden Files calendar featuring the character Harry Dresden to the left, Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake from the trailer of Sorcerer's Apprentice to the right.
Comic book version of Harry Dresden preparing to throw a ball of fire to the left, Nicolas Cage as Balthazar Blake preparing to throw a bal of fire in Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Cover art from the first Dresden Files novel, Storm Front featuring Harry Dresden to the left, Nicolas cage as Balthazar Blake in Sorcerer's Apprentice subway scene to the right.
And finally, last but not least.
Magical circle from Sorcerer's Apprentice to the left, Harry Dresden standing outside of a binding circle with Morgan in the binding circle from the extended and refurbished version of the The Dresden Files: Storm Front from the Dresden Files TV series to the right.
