Nicolas Cage to play football legend John Madden in new film

Advance:

• Nicolas Cage will play John Madden in a new film called ‘Madden’.
• David O. Russell wrote the script and will direct.
• It will follow Madden from his 1970s days and beyond.

Nicholas Cage is on a roll right now. Between displaying a great deal of self-awareness (and self-loathing) for ‘The unbearable weight of massive talent‘ and has given some of the best performances of his recent career in titles such as ‘Pig‘, ‘Dream scenario“and this year’s creepy winner”Long legs‘He’s putting in as much effort as possible.

And a new film will offer a considerable new challenge: Cage will play real-life NFL icon John Madden for the director. David O. Russell in ‘Madden’.

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What is the story of ‘Madden’?

With a script by Russell (based on previous work by Cambron Clark), the exact details of what ‘Madden’ will cover remain a bit hazy at the moment.

But there’s certainly plenty to choose from. Madden was a star player in high school and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, but an injury cut short his rookie season.

Instead, he continued his studies and earned a teaching degree, and put his skills and experience to good use as a coach, leading the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl and a victory in 1977.

Madden became known as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport, but his passion and commitment wore him down and he retired for health reasons.

Still, a second chapter of great success came when the fledgling gaming company Electronic Arts invited him to be the lead for its multiplayer video game Madden NFL. Madden had never played a video game, but this became a medium where he could share his knowledge and help the masses better understand the playing field.

The game has been a sensation for a long time; even though its inspiration died in 2021, it continues to this day as a favorite of players and fans.

And beyond that, Madden also made a name for himself as a much-loved commentator on the game he loved so much; his enthusiasm came through on screen and his habit of doodling on the screen made him a favorite among viewers.

‘Madden’: David O. Russell Talks Nicolas Cage

Here’s what Russell had to say about the casting news in a statement:

“Nicolas Cage, one of our finest and most original actors, will embody the very best of the American spirit of originality, fun and determination where anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden. Coupled with the fierce style, focus and inspired individualism of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, the film will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in the incredibly inventive and cool world of the 1970s.”

Russell himself is a somewhat controversial figure, and his successful career as a director was also marked by criticism for his attitude towards women and other groups. He is also known for his mercurial behaviour on set, infamously clashing with George Clooney in ‘Three Wise Men‘.

It left such a mark on the actor that even now he won’t work with Russell, commenting in a recent interview:

“It’s not about saying, ‘I’m going to make a really good movie, like ‘Three Kings,’ and I’m going to have a miserable life like David O. Russell, making my life hell. Making the lives of all the crew members hell.’”

Let’s hope Cage has an easier time of it.

When will David O. Russell and Nicolas Cage’s new film ‘Madden’ be released in theaters?

Amazon/MGM Studios is backing the drama, but it does not yet have a release date.

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