A new film based on the life of John Madden is coming, and landing the role of the chief evangelist of American football is none other than Nicolas Cage.
David O. Russell will write, direct and produce the film -- inventively titled "Madden" -- which apparently centers on Madden's 10 years leading the Oakland Raiders and his relationship with owner Al Davis.
“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,” Russell said in a statement, first reported by Deadline Hollywood. “Together with the ferocious style, focus, and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”
Of note: Madden was 33 when he became the Raiders head coach in 1969, and 42 when he stepped down. Cage turned 60 in January. Will Ferrell, 57, was previously attached to the project, whose script had been passed around Hollywood at the time of the writers' strike. Evidently, at some point in the re-write process, Russell decided Cage would be a better fit.
Previous "Madden" blurbs focused more on the title character's transition from coach to icon, but the Russell quote above implies his version of the script centers more on Madden's coaching years. I guess we'll have to see the film (or at least the trailers) to find out.
For what it's worth, Russell definitely knows how to make a movie. His films have been nominated for 26 Academy Awards, including Best Director nominations for The Fighter (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and American Hustle (2013). Cage won an Academy Award for Best Actor in Leaving Las Vegas (1996) and was nominated for Adaptation (2003).
Madden, the Super Bowl-champion winning coach, turned revolutionary NFL broadcaster, turned video game namesake, died in 2021 at the age of 85.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.