Amazon MGM has unveiled a first look atChristian BaleandNicolas Cagein their respective roles as Raiders team owner Al Davis and head coachJohn Maddenin its forthcoming biopic,Madden, which officially kicked off production on May 13. At first glance, the actors appear unrecognizable in the photo (seen below), courtesy of Deadline, as they both sport very different appearances, taking to the field as the two NFL legends for the film, which will celebrate the life and career of the titular football coach-turned-broadcaster.
The two actors are pictured side by side, with both men punching their fists out in front of them to show off their sparkling Super Bowl rings, which are awarded to winning teams at the annual sporting event to commemorate their victory. Bale is clean-shaven with his hair styled high and tight, just like Davis' signature quiff, which is quite far removed fromthe bushy-bearded, world-weary detectivehe portrayed in his last film, Netflix’sThe Pale Blue Eye. Cage also has a new look for his role as Madden, including the coach’s distinctive mop of hair and a black jacket featuring the iconic Raiders team logo. He also grips a football in his hand.
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Controversial director David O. Russellis directingMaddenfrom a script that he wrote, following an earlier version by Cambron Clark. The story follows John Madden’s journey from head coach of the Oakland Raiders to his incredible run as a sports commentator and his involvement in the creation and development of theMadden NFLvideo game series, to which he lent his expertise, commentary, and creative input (as well as his name), helping to usher in one of the biggest American football franchises for Electronic Arts' sports division.
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Cage signed on forMaddenlast August after Hugh Jackman passed on the project. Will Ferrell was another name in the mix for a while, as he enteredearly negotiations to star in the filmin 2023. However, those talks didn’t lead anywhere, leaving the role open for Cage amid a major career comeback. His recent movies includeLonglegs, the highest-grossing indie horror film of the past decade;Arcadian, a slightly more audience-dividing release that found a second life on streaming; andThe Surfer, which is currently rolling out in theaters.
In addition to Cage and Bale,Maddenhas also added several other key players to its cast huddle, including John Mulaney as Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, who approached Madden about the game in 1984, as well as Kathryn Hahn as Madden’s wife Virginia, and Sienna Miller as Davis' wife Carol. Mulaney’s role could be especially significant as the movie is not expected to be a traditional biopic, but instead an origin story for theMadden NFLgame series, similar to 2023’sTetris,while also chronicling Madden’s life up to that moment.
Source:Deadline
Nicolas Cage
