John Madden was a natural ham, and a big, boisterous personality that made him a natural fit for both the Oakland Raiders and the NFL commentary booth. It also means that whoever plays him in a movie should be great at hamming it up, as well. Call in Nicolas Cage, who is clearly going all out, wearing a fat suit no less, in David O. Russell’s Madden, which hits Prime Video in November.
The film centers on Madden’s exit from the NFL as a head coach, and his subsequent partnership with EA to become the face and voice of the iconic John Madden Football video game franchise. We also see the intense rivalry that developed between him and controversial Raiders owner, Al Davis, played by Christian Bale.
You have to hand it to Bale, the guy sticks with the people he loves to work with. Madden marks his fourth movie with Russell following The Fighter, American Hustle, and Amsterdam.
Also in the cast are Sienna Miller, John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, Joel Murray, and ex-Raiders linebacker Miles Burris.
I’ll be honest, this doesn’t look great. The fat suit is ridiculous, and Bale’s performance looks wildly overdone. That said, it’s all going to depend on the film’s tone, and if Russell gives it more of a satirical edge, it might just work out. My fingers are crossed because not only do I like every actor involved, but I have always had a fondness for both the Raiders and John Madden.
Madden will open in select theaters on November 11th, followed by Prime Video on November 18th.
