Nicolas Cage Pulls Off Stunning John Madden Transformation for the Upcoming ‘Madden’ Biopic

A new photo of Nicolas Cage on the set of Madden shows the actor looking almost unrecognizable as football legend John Madden.

The upcoming biographical sports drama is directed by David O. Russell, who also wrote the script based on an earlier draft by Cambron Clark.

Nicolas Cage looks unrecognizable as John Madden in 'Madden' 🏈 pic.twitter.com/AdrLfbVYpi

— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) September 1, 2025

The film will explore Madden’s life and his role in developing the Madden NFL video game series. Cage stars in the lead role, with Christian Bale playing Al Davis. John Mulaney will appear as Trip Hawkins, while Kathryn Hahn and Sienna Miller portray Virginia Madden and Carol Davis, respectively. Shane Gillis has also joined the cast.

Initially, Will Ferrell was in early talks to play Madden, as reported in May 2023. By August of the same year, Nicolas Cage was confirmed for the role. Christian Bale joined the project in April 2025, with other cast members confirmed shortly afterward. Filming began on April 24, 2025, in Atlanta.

The recently revealed on-set photo of Cage shows him fully transformed into Madden, complete with the coach’s signature look. Fans and media alike have commented on how dramatically Cage has changed for the role, making him nearly unrecognizable compared to his usual appearance.

The production has faced controversy as well. Sources report that in May 2025, several cast and crew members walked off the set after David O. Russell allegedly used a racial slur and attempted to include it in the script. Russell also reportedly belittled people who objected to the language, creating tension during filming.

Despite the controversy, the project continues, and anticipation is high for the film’s release. With Cage in the lead and a strong supporting cast, the movie promises to be a detailed look at Madden’s influence on football and the creation of one of the most successful sports video game franchises ever.

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