Amazon MGM Studios brings us a new look at Madden with Nicolas Cage giving you the play-by-play of the great coach’s career. Madden served as the Raiders’ head coach from 1969 to 1978. This seemingly puts the movie sometime after the team’s Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings. That would be Madden’s only Super Bowl win, although Davis would go on to win it again in 1981 and 1984 (after the Raiders moved to Los Angeles. Cage talks you through the teaser, describing how John Madden operated on the gridiron and in the announcing booth.
The movie’s starting roster includes Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale, Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, John Mulaney, with Shane Gillis. David O. Russell and Cambron Clark wrote the screenplay.
The official plot synopsis from Amazon MGM Studios 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.
Directed by Academy Award nominated David O. Russell, starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage as John Madden, Academy Award winner Christian Bale as Al Davis, with Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, John Mulaney, and Shane Gillis.“
The producers on the project include Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Jonathan Shukat, David O. Russell, Matthew Budman and Colin Wilson. Meanwhile, David Bloomfield, Constance Schwartz-Morini and Michael Strahan are on board as executive producers.
On directing Madden – and in particular what he knows Cage will be bringing to the project – Russell previously stated, “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. 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.”