Amazon MGM Studios has unveiled the first official image from Madden, the highly anticipated biopic of NFL coaching legend and broadcasting icon John Madden.
Nicolas Cage takes on the titular role with Christian Bale portraying fiery Raiders owner Al Davis.
Directed by David O. Russell, the film began production this week and boasts a star-studded cast including John Mulaney as EA Sports founder Trip Hawkins, Kathryn Hahn as Virginia Madden, and Sienna Miller as Carol Davis.
Russell, who also co-wrote the screenplay, will chart Madden’s evolution from Super Bowl-winning coach to unlikely face of a video game empire.
The story follows Madden’s rise to prominence as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, where he led the team to a championship before health concerns forced him into early retirement.
Pivoting from football to media, Madden became the voice of a generation through his work in the broadcast booth and the blockbuster EA Sports video game franchise that bears his name.
The image released shows Cage transformed into the gruff but beloved coach, standing beside Bale’s intense portrayal of Davis, capturing the unique relationship between the two towering figures in football history.
The film is being produced by Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, along with Jonathan Shukat, David O. Russell, Matthew Budman, and Colin Wilson.
Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini are executive producers through SMAC Entertainment, and the project is being developed in association with Skydance Sports.
Madden is one of several high-profile sports dramas Amazon MGM is backing as the genre sees renewed audience interest.
The release date has not yet been announced, but expectations are high with a cast that pairs two of Hollywood’s most transformative actors under the direction of an Oscar-nominated filmmaker.
