Chuck Zlotnick/ Amazon MGM Studios Madden, the biopic of the lateJohn Madden, has kicked off production. The legendary story of the football icon and video game trailblazer is being told in an upcoming movie, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook,American Hustle). Although the NFL season is still a few months away, fans have already gotten a sneak peek at how the late coach's life will be told on the big screen. Madden's career started when he was drafted as a player by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, before a knee injury sidelined him. In 1969, he became the head coach for the Oakland Raiders, leading them to their firstSuper Bowlvictory seven years later. In 1979, Madden retired from coaching and went on to become a beloved color commentator until 2009. The former pro athlete was also the face and voice of one of the biggest video game franchises of all time,Madden NFL. Sadly, Madden died at the age of 85 on Dec. 28, 2021. "Nobody loved football more than Coach.He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saidin a statementat the time. "There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today." Now thatMaddenproduction has started, and a first-look image has been released, here's everything to know about the football biopic, including who's playing the legendary coach. Bettmann/ Getty ; Jonathan Ferrey/Getty According toa plot synopsisfrom Amazon MGM Studios, the movie will follow Madden "from his Super Bowl-winning partnership with fellow coach Al Davis and the Raiders, to creatingMadden NFL, and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history." The firstMaddenvideo game was released by Electronic Artsin 1988, and the popular franchise continues to this day. In November 2024, Amazon Prime released afour-part docuseries,It's in the Game: Madden NFL, about the making of the classic game. The latest installment,Madden NFL 26, will be available on Aug. 14, 2025. In addition to directingMadden, Russell is also producing and writing the feature. A previous version of the script was written by Cambron Clark, perDeadline. Sporting News via Getty There is no premiere date for theMaddenmovie yet. The Atlanta-Journal Constitutionreported that the project is currently filming in Atlanta and will continue until July. As of right now, a trailer for the Madden movie hasn't been shared, but Amazon MGM Studios revealed a first look. A photo featuresNicolas Cageas Madden andChristian Baleas Davis. Both are dressed in complete '70s fashion while standing on a football field, with Cage's character donning a Raiders jacket. Notably, they show off their Super Bowl rings for the camera. Ida Mae Astute /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty ; Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Cage was cast as Madden in August 2024. "Nicolas Cage,one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun, and determination in which anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden," Russell said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "Together with the ferocious style, focus, and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s," the director continued. Robin L Marshall/Getty ; Araya Doheny/FilmMagic ; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Aside from Cage, the football film will also feature some other big names, like Bale as Al Davis, the eventual owner of the Oakland Raiders. Additional cast members includeKathryn Hahnas Madden's wife, Virginia, andJohn Mulaneyas Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins. Meanwhile,Sienna Millerwill play Davis' wife, Carol. Read the original article onPeople
