A new biopic on the life of legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden is in the works, and the casting for the leading role couldn’t have been more perfect.
Nicolas Cage, an Oscar-winning actor whose illustrious film career spans five decades, will be playing the titular character in “Madden.” The release date for the film has not yet been announced, but it is being backed by Amazon MGM, according to Variety.
“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,” director, writer and producer David O. Russell said in a press release, per the article from Variety. “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.”
Among the other actors considered for the role were, per Variety, were Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman.
It’s a truly iconic casting decision as Cage is notable for playing unique and eccentric roles. Now, he’ll take on the task of portraying the Super Bowl-winning former head coach of the Oakland Raiders, who subsequently spent 30 years as an NFL broadcaster and serves as the namesake for the long-running “Madden NFL” video game franchise.
Madden died at the age of 85 in 2021.