Nicolas Cage has played a lot of larger-than-life characters, but his next role might be his most recognizable yet. In “Madden,” the actor transforms into John Madden, the Super Bowl-winning coach turned broadcaster and video game icon.
Ahead of the film’s release next week, co-star Kathryn Hahn has shared just how far Cage went to disappear into the part. Here is what she said and what to know about the movie.
Kathryn Hahn on working with “Madden” Cage
Hahn plays Madden’s wife, Virginia. According to a Reuters entertainment report, she said Cage transformed himself “from within” so completely that she spent the entire production with him without ever feeling she had met the real Nicolas Cage.
Reuters reported that Cage remained covered in prosthetics throughout production, and that the transformation went well beyond his physical appearance.
That kind of commitment isn’t new for Cage, who has a reputation for throwing himself fully into roles. But playing a real person as beloved and familiar as John Madden comes with a different kind of pressure, because millions of viewers know exactly how he looked, sounded and moved.
What the film is about
According to Amazon, “Madden” charts the coach’s unlikely journey from Super Bowl winner with the Oakland Raiders to the face of one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.
The story also centers on Madden’s friendship with Raiders owner Al Davis, his partnership with his wife Virginia, his years as football’s most recognizable voice on TV, and the creation of the Madden NFL game. Amazon describes it as “the celebration of a brilliant mind whose once in a century spirit and personality” transcended sports.
A stacked cast
Cage leads an ensemble that includes:
- Christian Bale as Raiders owner Al Davis
- John Mulaney as EA Sports founder Trip Hawkins
- Kathryn Hahn as Virginia Madden
- Sienna Miller as Carol Davis, Al Davis’s wife
- Shane Gillis in a supporting role
The film is written and directed by David O. Russell, the filmmaker behind “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle,” working from a script he wrote following an earlier version by Cambron Clark.
Who was John Madden?
For younger viewers who know the name mainly from the video game, Madden’s real career is impressive. As head coach of the Raiders from 1969 to 1978, he posted a career winning percentage of .759, the highest among coaches with more than 100 career victories, and led the team to victory in Super Bowl XI.
He then spent three decades as one of the NFL’s most beloved broadcasters, working for all four major networks. In 1988 he partnered with EA Sports on the game that became Madden NFL. He died on December 28, 2021, at age 85.
When and where to watch
“Madden” premieres on Wednesday, November 18, streaming globally on Prime Video, according to Amazon. Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership.
The timing is smart. The release lands in the heart of the NFL season and just ahead of Thanksgiving, a holiday Madden was famously tied to through his memorable holiday broadcasts.
Why people are talking about it
Biopics live or die on their central performance, and the early buzz around “Madden” has focused squarely on Cage. Hahn’s comments add to the sense that this is one of his most immersive roles. Pairing him with Christian Bale, another actor known for dramatic transformations, as Al Davis only raises expectations.
The takeaway
“Madden” brings together Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale, Kathryn Hahn and David O. Russell for the story of one of football’s most colorful figures. If Hahn’s account is any guide, Cage didn’t just play John Madden, he became him. Football fans and movie fans alike can judge for themselves when the film hits Prime Video on November 18.
Image: American football stadium via Rawpixel, CC0 1.0
