Madden NFL Icon "John Madden" to be Portrayed by Nicolas Cage in Biopic

In a surprising casting announcement, Hollywood megastar Nicolas Cage is set to play legendary NFL coach and announcer John Madden in a new biopic based on the origin story of “Madden NFL.”

NFL Legend Madden to be Portrayed by Nicolas Cage in BiopicWill Tackle the Origins of Madden NFL

As reported today by news site The Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood icon Nicolas Cage is set to play legendary NFL coach and announcer John Madden in a new biopic based on the origin story of “Madden NFL.” The film will explore Madden’s impact not only as a football coach and commentator but also as the inspiration for one of the most successful sports video game franchises of all time, Madden NFL.

This news comes amid the launch week of the latest installment in the video game series, Madden NFL 25. According to the news site, the movie will delve into the creation and rise of the Madden NFL video game series. Collaborating with Electronic Arts in the 1980s, Madden helped develop a football simulation game, which became a cultural phenomenon after its launch in 1988 under the title "John Madden Football." This would go on to define what is now known as the Madden NFL series.

The movie will be directed by David O. Russell, the acclaimed filmmaker known for "The Fighter" and "Silver Linings Playbook." Russell, who also wrote the script, described the film to tackle the "joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s."

John Madden’s influence on football spans decades. As the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s, he led the team to multiple Super Bowl victories. Following his coaching career, he transitioned into broadcasting, where he became a beloved voice for America, earning 16 Sports Emmy Awards throughout the years.

With Nicolas Cage in the lead role, audiences can expect a performance that captures Madden’s vibrant energy. "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," said director Russell in a statement.

Madden NFL 25 is due to be out on August 16, 2024 at 12 p.m. EDT for the PC, the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and the Xbox One. If you're interested in learning more about the game and how to best play, check out our Wiki Guide at the link below!