Nicolas Cage to Play NFL Icon John Madden in David O. Russell Directed Biopic MADDEN
Nicolas Cage has signed on to play legendary NFL football coach and sports commentator John Madden in the upcoming biopic Madden, from writer, director, and producer David O. Russell (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle).
Russell released a statement about the film project and casting news, saying:
“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.
“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.”
Madden, who died in 2021 at the age of 85, was the larger than life head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s, leading the team to many championship games and its first Super Bowl victory.
“He became a mainstay of television football coverage, spending three decades as a color commentator after retiring from coaching in 1979. He’s also the namesake of the popular video game franchise, Madden NFL, and continued to provide creative input for the series after his retirement as a broadcaster in 2009.
Amazon MGM is backing Madden, which will be written, directed and produced by Russell. The filmmaker was reportedly considering Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman to star in the film before Cage was cast.
Additional casting for Madden will be announced at a later date, according to the studio. What do you think of this casting choice?
via: Variety