Nicolas Cage to Play John Madden in David O. Russell’s ‘Madden’ for Amazon

EXCLUSIVE: Writer-director David O. Russell has chosen Nicolas Cage to star in Madden, the Amazon MGM Studios drama about the extraordinary trajectory of John Madden. Madden transitioned from being the Super Bowl-winning Oakland Raiders head coach to the mastermind behind Madden NFL, a shift that led him to become one of the greatest football broadcasters in NFL history.

When Madden took on the role of head coach for the Raiders and led them to a championship, it seemed like he had achieved everything he ever wanted. Coaching and imparting the essentials of football were his life’s passions. However, the job took a toll on him because he invested every ounce of energy into it, eventually forcing him to retire at the height of his career.

The journey that shaped Madden’s future was quite unconventional. He was approached by the then-emerging gaming company Electronic Arts to be the face of its Madden NFL multiplayer video game. Though Madden had never played a video game, he saw it as an opportunity to share his football knowledge and give fans a deeper understanding of the sport. While Madden passed away in late 2021, the popular game that bears his name continues into its 25th iteration, beloved by NFL players and fans alike. Madden earned a significant fortune from it.

This led him to the broadcast booth, initially teaming up with Bob Costas for play-by-play commentary. His most famous partnership was with former football star Pat Summerall. Their voices are ingrained in the memories of many football fans. Madden revolutionized sports broadcasting, combining his extensive football knowledge with humor and a zest that highlighted not just the game, but also its quirky moments. He emphasized the contributions of not just the star players but also the linemen who were often overlooked, making their efforts known to the public. Madden was known for his telestrator skills, using it to showcase everything from great plays to the rising heat off an offensive lineman’s head.

Nicolas Cage may not be the immediate choice one might envision for playing the larger-than-life Madden, but this role continues a fascinating second act for the Academy Award winner. Cage has been tackling a range of diverse characters as of late, including performances in the horror film Longlegs and the dark comedies Renfield, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and Pig. His commitment to each role suggests that he’ll bring something unique to the character of John Madden.

“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun, and determination in which anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden,” said director David O. Russell. “Together with the ferocious style, focus, and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”

Russell wrote the screenplay, following an earlier version by Cambron Clark. Additionally, the film is being produced by Black’s Escape Artists partners Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch, along with Jonathan Shukat, David O. Russell, and Matthew Budman. Escape Artists’ David Bloomfield will serve as executive producer.

Cage is represented by WME and Stride Management, while Russell is represented by CAA.

Source: Particle News