Nicolas Cage Cast as Football Icon John Madden in Amazon’s Biopic ‘Madden’

According to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, actor Nicolas Cage has been cast to portray the legendary John Madden in the upcoming Amazon biopic “Madden,” directed by David O. Russell.

Unlike most biopics, the “Madden” film is to some extent a video game movie, focusing on the origin story of Madden NFL, one of the most successful video game franchises ever, according to sources.

John Madden was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s, achieving an impressive winning streak. He transitioned into a successful three-decade career as a color commentator, becoming a beloved figure in American pop culture and winning 16 Sports Emmy Awards. In the 1980s, Madden collaborated with Electronic Arts to create the Madden NFL video game series, which launched in 1988 and remains popular today.

The movie is a Prime Sports Original feature film produced by Todd Black. Other producers include Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and Jonathan Shukat from Escape Artists, along with Russell and Matthew Budman. Escape Artists is also working on a live-action adaptation of “Masters of the Universe” for Amazon.

“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,” film director David O. Russell said. “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.”  

[Sources]: Deadline: Amazon MGM Sets Nicolas Cage To Play John Madden In David O. Russell-Directed ‘Madden’ – [Archive] – [Screenshot]. The Hollywood Reporter: Nicolas Cage to Play John Madden in David O. Russell-Directed Biopic – [Archive] – [Screenshot].