Nicolas Cage to Play John Madden in New Biopic

In a surprising casting announcement, Hollywood's Nicolas Cage will portray legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden in an upcoming biopic chronicling the origins of "Madden NFL."

The film, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, will explore Madden's multifaceted career—from his coaching triumphs to his iconic broadcasting career and his pivotal role in creating one of the most successful sports video game franchises.

The movie, timed to coincide with the release of Madden NFL 25, will delve into the development and phenomenal success of the Madden NFL video game series. Madden's collaboration with Electronic Arts in the 1980s led to the creation of a football simulation game that, launched in 1988 as "John Madden Football," quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

Acclaimed director David O. Russell ("The Fighter," "Silver Linings Playbook"), who also penned the screenplay, aims to capture the "joy, humanity, and genius" of John Madden within the vibrant backdrop of the 1970s. The film promises to showcase Madden's legendary career, including his Super Bowl victories as coach of the Oakland Raiders and his enduring legacy as a beloved broadcaster, a career marked by 16 Sports Emmy Awards.

Director Russell stated, "Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun, and determination—the spirit that made anything possible for the beloved national legend, John Madden."

Madden NFL 25 launches August 16, 2024, at 12 p.m. EDT on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. For more information on the game, consult our Wiki Guide (link below).