David O. Russell’s upcoming biopic, Madden, has released its first trailer, showcasing Nicolas Cage in an exaggerated, prosthetic-heavy performance as the iconic football coach John Madden. The film explores Madden’s life and career, with a theatrical release scheduled for November 11 and a subsequent drop on Prime Video on November 18.
Cage is joined by Christian Bale, who delivers a more restrained performance as Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. The narrative highlights the partnership between Madden and Davis that led to a Super Bowl victory in 1977. The trailer also depicts Madden’s transition from coaching to broadcasting following health issues that forced his retirement.
In a comedic subplot, John Mulaney appears as EA founder Trip Hawkins, attempting to pitch the concept of a football video game to Madden. During the scene, Madden enthusiastically rejects a proposal for a seven-on-seven format, shouting, “You only have seven men on a team, and I’m out!” The film suggests that Madden’s feedback ultimately influenced the development of the first Madden NFL title.
The supporting cast features Kathryn Hahn as Madden’s wife, Virginia, and Sienna Miller as Davis’s wife, Carol. Fans can view the full trailer now, offering a glimpse into this larger-than-life story before the movie hits theaters this fall.
John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins seems like a wildly underrated casting choice. I hope his comedic timing shines through Cage’s volume.
November release? Great. Just what I needed, more football movies right when I’m tired of talking about the sport.
Christian Bale doing restrained while Cage goes completely wild? That sounds like a classic O. Russell dynamic I have never seen before.
Wait, does this mean there’s actual historical accuracy about the video game origin? I always thought that was just marketing lore.
I loved Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. If he brings that same manic energy here, I am fully invested.