Playing one of the most beloved figures in NFL history may seem like a stretch for Nicolas Cage, but it’s more like a hike.
Amazon MGM Studios released a first look at the film “Madden” on May 13, with the Academy Award-winning Cage portraying former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden, who would go on to become a popular NFL analyst.
The photo also features fellow Oscar winner Christian Bale as late Raiders owner Al Davis.
In the picture, Cage wears a light Raiders jacket while sporting a thick mop of hair. He holds a football in his left hand and flashes a Super Bowl ring, while Bale, as Davis, has the slicked-back hair and signature glasses Davis wore. He also sticks out his hand to show off a Super Bowl ring.
“Your first-look at Nicolas Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis on set of the upcoming film, Madden. Production is currently underway,” the caption on Amazon MGM Studios’ Instagram post reads.
“The film follows Madden’s remarkable journey—from his Super Bowl-winning partnership with Al Davis and the Raiders, to creating Madden NFL, and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history.”
Like the Raiders defense under Madden, the film features some heavy hitters. John Mulaney stars as EA Sports founder Trip Hawkins, while Kathryn Hahn plays Madden’s wife and Sienna Miller portrays Davis’ wife. David O. Russell, who is a five-time Oscar nominee, directs it.
Madden died at the age of 85 in 2021 following a decorated career on the sidelines and in the broadcasting booth. He didn’t have any losing seasons in a decade as Raiders coach and led them to a victory in the 1977 Super Bowl.
After retiring from coaching, he teamed up on CBS with former NFL star Pat Summerall for a long run calling NFL games, becoming one of the most popular broadcasting tandems in all of sports. Madden also worked for Fox, ABC and NBC before stepping away from the booth for good in 2009.
Davis died in 2011 at the age of 82. He was the renegade owner of the Raiders, best known for his signature phrase “Just win, baby!” He won three Super Bowls as owner of the team.
Both Davis and Madden are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Madden” marks a reunion for Cage and Bale, who starred together in the 2001 movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” which, coincidentally, was directed by John Madden — a different person than the former coach, best known for helming “Shakespeare in Love.”
