Nicolas Cage presents an Oscar® nominee for Best Actor during the live ABC broadcast of the 96th Academy Awards from the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Photo credit/contributor: Trae Patton ©AMPAS Copyright: ©AMPAS

Preview:

• Nicolas Cage plays John Madden in a new movie called “Madden.”
• David O. Russell wrote the screenplay and will direct.
• It will follow Madden from his 1970s onwards and beyond.

Nicolas Cage is on quite a roll at the moment, showing serious confidence (and self-deprecation) in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and delivering some of the best performances of his recent career in films like Pig, Dream Scenario and this year’s horror winner Longlegs. He’s working hard.

And a new film will present a new, considerable challenge: Cage will play the role of real-life NFL icon John Madden in “Madden” for director David O. Russell.

Related article: Nicolas Cage is reportedly in talks to play a live-action role for Spider-Man Noir

What is the story of “Madden”?

John Madden. Photo: NFL.com.

Since it is a screenplay by Russell (based on previous work by Cambron Clark), the exact details of “Madden” are currently somewhat unclear.

But the choice is wide. Madden was a star player in high school and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, but his rookie season was ended by an injury.

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

Madden became known as one of the best coaches in the history of the sport, but his all-consuming passion and commitment took their toll and he retired due to health reasons.

Nevertheless, a hugely successful second chapter began when the young gaming company Electronic Arts recruited him to be the face of its multiplayer video game Madden NFL. Madden had never played a video game before, but it became a way to share his knowledge and help the masses better understand the football field.

The game was a sensation for a long time – even though its inspiration dies in 2021, it remains a favorite of players and fans to this day.

And beyond that, Madden also rose to fame as a popular commentator of the game he loved so much. His enthusiasm oozed from the screen and his habit of doodling on the screen made him a favorite with viewers.

“Madden”: David O. Russell talks about Nicolas Cage

David O. Russell on the set of American Hustle. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing/Francois Duhamel
Copyright: © 2013 Annapurna Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

Here’s what Russell said in a statement about the casting news:

“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will play beloved national legend John Madden, embodying the American spirit of originality, fun and determination to make anything possible. Combined with the wild style, determination and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the film will be about the joy, humanity and genius that John Madden represented in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”

Russell himself is a somewhat controversial figure. His successful career as a director has also been marked by criticism of his attitudes towards women and other groups. He is also known for his erratic behaviour on set and infamously clashed with George Clooney on “Three Kings”.

It left such a big impression on the actor that he still doesn’t want to work with Russell. In a recent interview he said the following:

“It’s not like I say, ‘Oh, I’m going to make a really good movie like ‘Three Kings’ and then I’m going to have a nasty guy like David O’Russell who’s going to make my life hell. Who’s going to make everyone on the crew’s life hell.'”

Let’s hope Cage is better off.

When will the new movie “Madden” with David O. Russell and Nicolas Cage be released in theaters?

Amazon/MGM Studios is backing the drama, but a release date is yet to be announced.

Nicolas Cage greets Javi Gutierrez with a palm hold fist salute upon arrival in Mallorca, Spain. Photo credit: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate.

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