Nicolas Cage is ready to let the games begin as John Madden in director David O. Russell’s forthcoming biopic about the NFL legend.
Amazon MGM Studios announced Thursday that its film Madden will begin streaming worldwide via Prime Video on Nov. 18. Christian Bale co-stars as Raiders owner Al Davis, while Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, John Mulaney and Shane Gillis round out the cast.
Madden tells the story of the beloved icon whose legacy continues through his titular NFL video game, Madden NFL. The film centers on Madden (Cage) as he coaches the Raiders to a Super Bowl win alongside best friend Davis (Bale) before becoming one of football’s most popular broadcasters.
“Accepting the role to play this larger-than-life legend has been a highlight for me,” Cage says in a promotional video released Thursday. “John Madden didn’t just coach football. He changed the game.”
The Oscar-winning actor continues, “His humanity was present in everything he did, including his unwavering love of family and his lifelong partnership with best friend Al Davis.” Cage adds, “John’s passion, joy and the impact he had through his zest for life and humanity were immense.”
Among the video’s snippets from the movie include Bale saying as Davis, “There’s only one John Madden. They didn’t make another one.”
Russell, who is known for such films as The Fighter and American Hustle, helmed Madden from a script he co-wrote with Cambron Clark. Russell produces alongside Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Jonathan Shukat, Matthew Budman and Colin Wilson.
