Nicolas Cage playing John Madden is a real movie that’s actually coming out

I don’t know if the world is ready for a John Madden biopic, but it’s coming — and with Nicolas Cage.

Deadline had exclusive images of Nic Cage playing the world’s most famous football coach, alongside a totally transformed Christian Bale who is playing former Raiders owner Al Davis. Honestly, I’d always assumed Davis would be portrayed by a spiral cut ham left in a California desert and picked over by vultures, but this speaks to Bale’s range when it comes to transforming himself.

What we know of the production of Madden is that it will follow John’s legendary years with the Raiders, through the creation of the video game bearing his name. John Mulaney is attached to play former Electronic Arts head Trip Hawkins, with Kathryn Hahn will play Virginia Madden.

There are so many reasons this should be a total train wreck, but David O. Russell is directing Madden, and has an absolutely stellar resume including Silver Linings Playbook, Joy, The Fighter, and Three Kings.

It’s just impossible to imagine Nicolas Cage being anything but extremely Nicolas Cage. Can that translate to playing John Madden? I guess we’ll find out when the movie is scheduled to be released in 2026.