Nicolas Cage as John Madden: Hollywood's latest gamble on an American icon
Hollywood has never been shy of a bold casting decision, but the first trailer for the forthcoming John Madden biopic has split opinion down the middle, with some hailing Nicolas Cage's transformation as inspired and others dismissing it as a man in a fat suit doing a bad impression.
The teaser for Madden, released on September 24, offers the first glimpse of the Academy Award-winning actor as the legendary American football coach and broadcaster, opposite Christian Bale as Al Davis, the maverick owner of the Oakland Raiders. Directed by David O. Russell, the film is set for a November 18 release on Prime Video.
Why has the Madden trailer divided fans?
The reaction online has been characteristically polarised. One enthusiast wrote: 'Nic Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis. That's awesome.' Another declared: 'Every football fan who worshiped Madden will see this movie. And the fact they got Nick Cage to channel John's presence makes it all the sweeter.'
Yet the sceptics have been equally vocal. 'Sorry but he just looks like nicolas cage in a fat suit and it just sounds like himself doing a bad impression...im sure the movie will be great but could've done better casting john,' one viewer complained, while another dismissed the footage as 'so unserious'. A third summed up the general mood: 'Either gonna be great or awful, either way I'm excited to watch.'
What is the Madden film about?
Per Prime Video, the official logline reads: 'Inspired by the life of a beloved American icon, MADDEN chronicles John Madden's incredible journey alongside best friend and true original Al Davis - from a Super Bowl-winning partnership with the Raiders, to becoming football's most recognizable voice, to building the worldwide Madden NFL video game.'
'MADDEN is the celebration of a brilliant mind whose once in a century spirit and personality, partnership with his daring wife Virginia, lifelong friendships, and infectious love of people and football transcended the world of sports.'
The supporting cast includes Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, John Mulaney and Joel Murray.
How did Nicolas Cage transform for the role?
Cage, never one to shy from a challenge, underwent an extensive physical transformation for the part, relying on a body fat suit and prosthetics. He was simultaneously filming the Spider-Noir television series, a scheduling juggling act he described to Deadline as 'a bit of a learning curve and a fast cut'.
'When you do a season of television, it's equivalent to making four movies back-to-back. It's a lot,' he explained. 'So, I was talking like an old-world film noir actor for a long time and then suddenly David O. Russell is inviting me to play this famous football coach, who was also a TV personality, who had a very specific way of talking, nothing like a film noir actor. And frankly, nothing like me.'
'I have nothing in common with John Madden, and that was the challenge,' Cage added. 'But when we rehearsed, David tried to help me find the voice and I said to him,