Nicolas Cage to Play John Madden in New Biopic
Hollywood's Nicolas Cage is set to portray legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden in an upcoming biopic, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will chronicle Madden's life, focusing on his journey from coaching success to becoming a broadcasting icon and the inspiration behind the hugely popular Madden NFL video game franchise.
The biopic, timed to coincide with the recent release of Madden NFL 25, will delve into the creation and phenomenal success of the Madden NFL video game series. Madden's collaboration with Electronic Arts in the 1980s resulted in "John Madden Football" (1988), a game that redefined the sports video game landscape and laid the foundation for the enduring franchise.
Acclaimed director David O. Russell ("The Fighter," "Silver Linings Playbook"), who also penned the screenplay, promises a film that captures the "joy, humanity, and genius" of John Madden within the vibrant backdrop of the 1970s. The movie will explore Madden's significant contributions to football, both as the highly successful coach of the Oakland Raiders and as a beloved national broadcaster, a career highlighted by 16 Sports Emmy Awards.
Director Russell lauded Cage's casting, stating that the actor embodies "the best of the American spirit of originality, fun, and determination" – qualities perfectly suited to portraying the legendary John Madden.
Madden NFL 25 launched August 16, 2024, on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. For game guides and strategies, check out our comprehensive Wiki Guide (link below – link removed as it's not provided in the original text).