John Madden to be played by surprise Hollywood star in new film
February 3, 2011; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NFL coach John Madden during the Best Defender Awards press conference at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas. Copyright: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
From stealing the Declaration of Independence to portraying NFL legend John Madden, Nicolas Cage is set to take on an iconic new role.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s Boris Kitt, Cage will star as the late football icon in the upcoming film “Madden,” which will be directed by David O. Russell and produced by Amazon MGM Studios. The film is described as a unique blend of biopic and origin story, focusing not only on Madden’s life but also on the creation of the popular video game series “Madden NFL.”
John Madden, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Oakland Raiders and a beloved NFL commentator, passed away in December 2021 at the age of 85. He was also the namesake of the “Madden NFL” video game series, which has been a staple in gaming since its debut as “John Madden Football” in 1988.
As for Nicolas Cage, his decades-long career has made him one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars. At 60, he continues to captivate audiences, recently earning a 2024 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his performance in “Dream Scenario.” While it might seem unusual to envision Cage—known for roles like Castor Troy—stepping into Madden’s shoes and delivering lines like “Boom! What a powerful performance!”, his casting is a strong choice, especially considering the initial actors considered for the role.
